• Brady DM

The population of the microbiota of the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is widely diverse and complex with a high population density. All major groups of organisms are represented. While predominately bacteria, a variety of protozoa are also present. In the colon there are over 10 bacterial cells per gram and over 400 different species. These bacterial cells out-number host cells by at least a factor of 10. This microbial population has important influences on host physiological, nutritional and immunological processes. In fact, this biomass should more rightly be considered a rapidly adapting, renew-able organ with considerable metabolic activity and significant influence on human health. Consequently there is renewed and growing interest in identifying the types and activities of these gut microbes.

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