Microbiome News and Research

Latest Microbiome News and Research

Study identifies link between gut bacteria and deterioration of the brain in ALS, dementia

A significant discovery by Case Western Reserve University researchers could change how doctors treat two of the most devastating neurodegenerative diseases.

9 Feb 2026

CRISPR gene-drive technology reverses antibiotic resistance in bacteria

Antibiotic resistance (AR) has steadily accelerated in recent years to become a global health crisis. As deadly bacteria evolve new ways to elude drug treatments for a variety of illnesses, a growing number of "superbugs" have emerged, ramping up estimates of more than 10 million worldwide deaths per year by 2050.

7 Feb 2026

Gut bacteria use formic acid as an electron taxi

Among the many trillions of microorganisms in the human gut is Blautia luti. Like many gut bacteria, it metabolizes indigestible dietary components, such as fiber in the form of carbohydrates.

7 Feb 2026

New analysis reveals hidden complexity in the vaginal microbiome

For decades, gynecological tests have relied on a simplified view of the vaginal microbiome, categorizing bacteria as either "good" or "bad."

6 Feb 2026

Computational method clarifies microbial signals in tumor sequencing

When scientists sequence tumor DNA, they typically find small amounts of genetic code from bacteria, viruses and fungi – microorganisms that, if actually present in tumor tissues, could influence how they grow, evade immunity or respond to treatment.

5 Feb 2026

Gut microbial butyrate enhances mucosal vaccine antibody responses

A research team from POSTECH and ImmunoBiome in Korea, led by Professor Sin-Hyeog Im, has uncovered a new mechanism showing how butyrate-a short-chain fatty acid produced by gut commensal bacteria-enhances T follicular helper (Tfh) cell activity to promote antibody production and strengthen mucosal vaccine efficacy.

4 Feb 2026

Five mutation patterns shape how cancers evade immunity

Cancer cells carry thousands of mutations, but not all mutations are created equal. Some make tumors highly visible to the immune system, while others help cancers hide.

4 Feb 2026

Clear aligners protect oral microbiome better than fixed braces

Researchers compare the effects of clear aligners and fixed appliances on oral microbiota and oxidative stress in the oral cavity.

4 Feb 2026

Why the carnivore diet’s claimed benefits don’t outweigh its health risks

Researchers determine the nutritional adequacy and health effects of the carnivore diet.

2 Feb 2026

Turning everyday eggs into powerful nutrient delivery systems

Eggs as functional foods: this review explores enrichment techniques that enhance nutrient bioavailability and support health through precision nutrition.

30 Jan 2026

Gut microbiome may be a central player in the body's response to cancer

A new study reveals how bacteria in the gut can help determine whether the amino acid asparagine from the diet will feed tumor growth or activate immune cells against the cancer, according to researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine.

29 Jan 2026

Study reveals a link between oral microbiota and cognitive performance in schizophrenia

An association between oral microbiota and cognitive performance in schizophrenia has been reported by researchers at Science Tokyo.

29 Jan 2026

Poop pills could help cancer patients respond to immunotherapy while reducing toxic side effects

Fecal microbiota transplants (FMT), can dramatically improve cancer treatment, suggest two groundbreaking studies published in the prestigious Nature Medicine journal.

28 Jan 2026

Gut problems may shape Parkinson’s disease progression through the gut-brain axis

This narrative review examines how gastrointestinal dysfunction, gut dysbiosis, and altered gut-brain axis signaling are closely associated with the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease. It synthesizes evidence supporting a possible bottom-up disease model while highlighting integrative, gut-targeted strategies as adjuncts to symptom management rather than proven disease-modifying therapies.

27 Jan 2026

How modern lifestyles reprogram the gut microbiome and shape disease risk

Modern lifestyle factors such as circadian disruption, sleep deprivation, stress, and exercise reshape the gut bacteriome and its metabolic outputs. These microbiome changes are linked to immune, metabolic, and cancer-related pathways, largely through evidence from animal models and observational human studies.

27 Jan 2026

Why eating more oats can rapidly reduce cholesterol levels

Oat consumption boosts gut microbiota-derived phenolic metabolites, driving cholesterol-lowering effects and improving lipid metabolism in metabolic syndrome.

27 Jan 2026

Olive oil type matters for cognition and gut health in older adults

Higher intake of virgin and total olive oil was associated with modest but significant improvements in cognitive performance over two years in older adults with metabolic syndrome. These associations were partly linked to gut microbiota composition, with specific taxa such as Adlercreutzia contributing a small mediating effect.

26 Jan 2026

Tiny plastic particles may interfere with brain processes implicated in Parkinson’s disease

Micro- and nanoplastics are increasingly detected in human tissues, including the brain, and experimental evidence suggests they can interact with biological pathways central to Parkinson’s disease pathology. This review synthesises mechanistic data indicating that plastic particles may influence protein aggregation, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the gut–brain axis, while emphasising the need for prospective human studies.

26 Jan 2026

Evidence links gut microbiome changes to Alzheimer’s progression

Human studies consistently report gut microbiome differences in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, but findings vary widely by cohort, methods, and taxa. Heterogeneity and limited longitudinal data prevent causal inference, highlighting the need for functional profiling and well-designed intervention trials.

25 Jan 2026