Sarkis K. Mazmanian

TL;DR: Findings indicating that developmental aspects of the adaptive immune system are influenced by bacterial colonization of the gut are discussed, and the possibility that the mammalian immune system, which seems to be designed to control microorganisms, is in fact controlled by microorganisms is raised.

TL;DR: During colonization of animals with the ubiquitous gut microorganism Bacteroides fragilis, a bacterial polysaccharide (PSA) directs the cellular and physical maturation of the developing immune system.

TL;DR: A gut-microbiome-brain connection in a mouse model of ASD is supported and a potential probiotic therapy for GI and particular behavioral symptoms in human neurodevelopmental disorders is identified.

TL;DR: It is reported herein that gut microbiota are required for motor deficits, microglia activation, and αSyn pathology, and suggested that alterations in the human microbiome represent a risk factor for PD.

TL;DR: Recent technological and intellectual advances that have changed thinking about five questions about how have bacteria facilitated the origin and evolution of animals; how do animals and bacteria affect each other’s genomes; how does normal animal development depend on bacterial partners; and how is homeostasis maintained between animals and their symbionts are highlighted.