Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) often occur together, and metabolic disease is linked to alterations in the gut microbiome but the changes associated uniquely with obesity versus T2D have been unclear. 

In a recent lecture at the University of Cambridge, Bill Gates argued that the key to solving child malnutrition lies in deeper understanding of the gut microbiome. What science backs his vision—and is there a chance his prediction will be borne out? 

Highlights of a meeting where world experts discussed the latest knowledge regarding the microbiome and aging.  

The inability of some infant microbiomes to perform carbohydrate metabolism may be a factor in the development of allergies later in life. Metagenomic analysis of the microbiomes of human infants who went on to develop allergies revealed a lack of genes encoding for carbohydrate breakdown and butyrate production, pointing to the potential importance of this pathway during early infancy in protecting against the later onset of allergies.  

A new study, part of the Integrative Human Microbiome Project, followed 132 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for one year in order to generate longitudinal molecular profiles of host and microbial activity. This constitutes the most comprehensive description to date of host and microbe activities in IBD. 

New work shows gut microbial taxa might vary, but function is stable in people with Crohn's disease in remission 

Mouse study highlights role of NOD2 gene in gut microbiota resilience following antibiotics 

Knowing what shapes the skin microbiome may help us learn how to maintain healthier skin throughout the lifespan. . A new study by Amway and Microbiome Insights, published in the scientific journal mBio, found that between 12 and 20 percent of the variability of bacteria on people’s skin can be explained by demographic, physiologic, and lifestyle factors.