الصفحة 1
الصفحة 1
Intestinal Microorganisms of Termites and Other Invertebrates
Soil microorganisms play a major role in the degradation and recycling of organic material. Microbes are involved in the food web and strongly contribute to soil fertility. In the past, attention was mainly directed towards free-living or particle-bound microorganisms, while the role of intestinal microbes of soil animals has been neglected. For the first time, "Intestinal Microorganisms of Termites and Other Invertebrates" focuses on the microbes in gut systems of soil animals. It starts with a profound overview of the biology of soil invertebrates. A major part deals with the gut microbiota of termites, the best investigated gut system of invertebrates. Termites are important soil processors in tropical and subtropical regions. Insight is given into the intestinal microbiota of further relevant primary litter decomposers, such as earthworms, springtails, millipeds, and woodlice. Novel techniques for studying intestinal microbes complete the volume.
Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissues
The intestine is colonized by an impressive community of commensals, that has profound effects on the immune funtions. The relationship between gut microbiota and the immune system is one of reciprocity: commensals have important contribution in nutrient processing and education of the immune system and conversely, the immune system, particularly gut-associated lymphoid tissues plays a key role in shaping the repertoire of gut microbiota.
Gut orchestra : Micro-symphony turned onco-cacophony
The role of microbiota in colorectal cancer has been studied since alterations in its composition were observed. Ever since, there are more and more pieces of evidence that microbiota could be implicated in colorectal cancer progression. Thus, the components of the microbiota could be biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer. It is truly important to address how the microbiota interacts with the host and how the host shapes the microbiota, in order to understand the biological pathways and mechanisms involved in their relationship and the consequences of their interactions in colorectal cancer.
