Mikrobioms

Mikrobioms refers to the communities of microorganisms and their collective genetic material in a defined environment. In common usage the term microbiota describes the organisms themselves, while microbiome denotes the genetic material; Mikrobioms can be used to refer to both, depending on context. This article uses Mikrobioms to describe the whole system of microbes and genes in a given setting.

Mikrobioms occur in every habitat, from the human body to soil, oceans, and air. Human-associated Mikrobioms are found in the gut, skin, mouth, and vagina, while environmental Mikrobioms are present in water, sediment, and soil. They are composed of bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms, with composition shaped by age, diet, geography, and exposure.

Functions of Mikrobioms include assistance in digestion and fermentation, synthesis of vitamins, modulation of the immune system, protection against pathogens, and participation in nutrient and biogeochemical cycles. In hosts, microbial communities influence development, metabolism, and disease susceptibility.

Assessment of Mikrobioms relies on molecular methods. 16S rRNA gene sequencing surveys bacteria and archaea, while metagenomics examines the full genetic content; metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics assess activity. Culturing remains limited for many communities, so many studies rely on sequencing and computational analyses.

Applications include probiotics and prebiotics to modulate human Mikrobioms, fecal microbiota transplantation for certain conditions, and environmental monitoring using microbial indicators. Ethical and regulatory considerations address privacy of human microbiome data and biosafety in therapeutic use.