gut-microbiota-and-health

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 19 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02401-8 Evolved phage cocktails outsmart biofilm defences

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 19 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02408-1 Deep learning reveals that prion-related proteins contain hidden ‘prionin’ peptides with antibacterial activity, including two candidates that reduced infections in mice.

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 19 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02405-4 Prophage FRφ rewires the flagellar apparatus of its Enterobacter sp. host through RNA-guided repression of native flagellin, favouring its own phage-encoded isoform. This enhances host motility and reduces immune recognition, boosting bacterial fitness in mice.

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 19 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02402-7 Dietary lipids disturb colonic microbiota–mucus interactions and microbial transformation of host-derived bile acids. This altered bile acid pool triggers increased lipid absorption in the small intestine, revealing an unexpected link between the colonic mucus niche and small intestinal lipid metabolism.

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 19 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02382-8 A ubiquitous skin fungus, frequently associated with skin pathology, is important for maintenance of the skin barrier function through tryptophan derivatives that act as aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists.

BackgroundMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is recognized as a pressing global public health burden. However, its molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood.MethodsIn this study, an integrative analysis of transcriptome datasets from the GEO database was conducted. GEO2R and the R programming language were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to oxidative stress a…

BackgroundObesity drives chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Danlou tablet (DLT), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, is used to treat coronary heart disease by regulating lipid metabolism, suggesting potential for addressing obesity-related metabolic dysfunction. However, its role in obesity and insulin resistance remains unexplored.ObjectivesWe investigated the eff…

A childhood fascination with the image of a scientist led Budhaditya Mukherjee , an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) and an EMBO Global Investigator Network (EMBO GIN) awardee, to a career studying one of the world’s most adaptable parasites, Leishmania . In this profile, he reflects on research, resilience, mentorship, genome plasticity, and how…

Older mice that received a faecal microbiome transplant from younger animals went on to have improved brain plasticity, which suggests their brains could overcome a neurological condition that is typically successfully treated only in childhood

Dental caries is a chronic biofilm-mediated disease that is caused by the interplay of plaque dysbiosis, persistent acid generation by cariogenic bacteria and host-associated environmental influences. Accordingly, current anti-caries measures increasingly focus on broader interventions targeting bacterial adhesion and colonization, biofilm formation, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production,…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CP-KP) as a critical priority pathogen due to its increasing importance for human health. Although wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) is discussed as a complementary tool for classical systems regarding hazard forecasting and early-warning, methods targeting a single AMR target remain scarce. Theref…

Antimicrobials are widely used in intensive poultry production, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, promoting the selection and spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Avian fecal Escherichia coli (AFEC) act as important reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, reflecting baseline resistance levels and facilitating dissemination of resistance and virulence determinants within poult…

IntroductionThe application of bacteriophages in food systems requires evaluation under conditions that reflect realistic storage scenarios. This study evaluated two lytic bacteriophages, SW03 and CF03, targeting Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7, respectively, as potential biocontrol agents in food matrices.MethodsPhage SW03, isolated from municipal sewage, and phage CF03, isolate…

Gram-negative bacteria exhibit higher intrinsic resistance to antimicrobial agents than Gram-positive bacteria, largely attributable to their efficient multidrug efflux pumps. Among these, tripartite pumps spanning the inner membrane, periplasm, and outer membrane are central to both intrinsic and acquired resistance. Periplasmic adaptor proteins (PAPs) serve as the core connectors of these syste…

Overexpression of efflux pumps, is a primary mechanism of multidrug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. This study evaluated grape pomace extracts and their constituent flavonoids as potential efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) to restore ciprofloxacin susceptibility. RP-HPLC analysis of the extracts identified quercetin, (+)-catechin, and (−)-epicatechin. The synergistic interaction between these ag…

Liver transplantation (LT) is a critical intervention for end-stage liver disease, while complications, such as infections, graft rejection, and metabolic disturbances are common post-transplant. The gut microbiota-bile acid (GM-BA) axis plays a pivotal role in regulating liver function and overall health, influencing both the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism. This review explored the comp…

Osteoarthritis (OA) has traditionally been viewed as a degenerative joint disorder primarily associated with mechanical stress and progressive structural damage. Increasing evidence, however, indicates that immune imbalance and persistent low-grade inflammation are critically involved in disease initiation and progression. In this context, alterations in the gut microbiota have attracted growing …