Microbiomes, 1st ed. 2021
Current Knowledge and Unanswered Questions
The Microbiomes of Humans, Animals, Plants, and the Environment Series, Vol. 2

This book examines an important paradigm shift in biology: Plants and animals, traditionally viewed as individuals, are now considered to be complex systems and host to a plethora of microorganisms. After first presenting historical aspects of microbiota research, bacterial compositions of individual microbiomes and the critical analysis of current methods, the book discusses how microbial communities inside the human body are profoundly affected by numerous factors, such as macro- and micro-nutrients, physical exercise, antibiotics, gender and age. As described by current research, the author highlights how microbiomes contribute to the fitness of the host by providing nutrients, inhibiting pathogens, aiding in the storage of fat during pregnancy, and contributing to development and behavior. The author not only focusses on prokaryotic components in microbiomes, but also addresses single-cell eukaryotes and viruses.

This follow-up to the successful  book The Hologenome Concept: Human, Animal and Plant Microbiota, published in 2013, provides a contemporary overview of microbiomes. It appeals to anyone working in the life sciences and biomedicine.

2.         Composition of Microbiomes

3.         Dynamics of Microbiomes

4.          Contribution of Microbiomes to Fitness

5.          Contribution of Microbiomes to Fitness

6.         Eukaryotic Microorganisms in Microbiomes

7.         Viromes

8.         Genetic Variation in Holobionts

9.         Role of Microbiota in Evolution: Hologenome Concept

10.       Pathogens as Symbionts

Discusses the composition and role of microbiomes in humans, animals and plants

Illuminates the hologenome concept of evolution from different angles

Reviews data on the role of beneficial microbiota in preventing and treating disease