S2 Human Microbiome

antibiotic

A chemical that kills bacteria or slows their growth without harming body cells. May be broad spectrum (kills both Gram+ and Gram-) or narrow (kills a specific set of bacteria)

cell wall synthesis inhibitors

a class of antibacterial drugs that kills susceptible bacteria by preventing them from forming peptidoglycan

core microbiome

Commonly shared microbial species among individuals at specific body sites; although typically represented by a limited number of species, these comprise the largest proportion of the microbial population

DNA replication inhibitors

antibiotics (e.g. quinolones) that prevent bacterial DNA replication

dysbiosis

State of disturbed homeostasis of the microbiota composition - lower diversity, and more prone to inflammation (and infection with C. difficile)

fecal transplant

This is a way to help treat a patient who is having recurrent episodes of C. Diff. It is a bacteriotherapy.

functional redundancy

A characteristic of species within an ecosystem where certain species contribute in equivalent ways to an ecosystem function such that one species may substitute for another.

metabolomics

the study of the complete complement of small chemicals made by cells at any given time (products of microbial metabolism)

metagenome

sum of all the genes of all the organisms in an area

metatranscriptome

sequencing all the mRNA present in a sample to determine what genes are active in a community of microbes

microbiota

the term for the microbes that are normally present in and on the human body; usually beneficial

microhabitat

a small, particular part of a habitat in which particular organisms live; for example, armpits vs mouth vs gut

prebiotic

a substance that passes undigested into the colon and stimulates the growth and/or activity of certain types of bacteria (generally positive)

probiotics

live microbes applied to or ingested into the body, intended to exert a beneficial effect

proteomics

the study and comparison of all the proteins that result from an organism's genome

sebaceous

greasy; secreting sebum (fatty matter secreted by the glands of the skin)

secondary microbiome

microbial species that contribute to the unique diversity of individuals at specific body sites

synbiotic

Combination of pro- and prebiotics taken to confer health benefits on the host.

taxonomic diversity

the number, types, and distribution of species (taxa) within an ecosystem

ulcerative colitis

a chronic condition of unknown cause in which repeated episodes of inflammation in the rectum and large intestine cause ulcers and irritation