Microbiome

Antibiotics cause an imbalance between fungi and bacteria in our microbiome. New ways of understanding this imbalance can help protect against serious disease

We don’t yet understand why rates of bowel cancer have doubled in young people, but new research finds DNA damage caused by gut bacteria may be part of the puzzle

Joining prebiotics and probiotics is the latest concept in gut health, known as ‘postbiotics’. Here we explain what they are and why they’re important

The effect of organic and conventionally farmed foods on the gut microbiome remains unclear, indicating more research is needed into which foods are beneficial

Research is revealing the connection between our microbes and our mental health, suggesting that your ‘gut-feeling’ is not just metaphorical

COVID-19 has changed our lives, and although it may also be changing our microbiomes, there are many actions that we can take to support the microbes within and around us

Our mouths contain billions of microbes. Increasing evidence suggests they are important for our oral and overall health, but modern diets are causing problems

Research into our gut microbiome – or our ‘second brain’ – has already produced vast amounts of data, but we are only scratching the surface of our own complex ecosystems

Professor Fabienne Mackay’s work led to the first new treatment for lupus, an autoimmune disease, in more than 50 years, but there is much more to do and she says researchers need to ask the big questions – and be prepared for surprises

Iron supplements may be the answer to tackling anaemia in poorer countries. Now major trials, including new intravenous treatments, will test the evidence