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Very Short Introductions #719
Microbiomes: A Very Short Introduction
Very Short Introductions : Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring
The term 'microbiomes' encapsulates an important scientific breakthrough of recent years. This is the realization that humans, other animals, and plants harbour communities of microorganisms which are mostly beneficial but can occasionally cause or exacerbate disease. Our quickly developing understanding of microbiomes is being translated into novel microbial therapies for human disease and is contributing to sustainable practices in agriculture and food production. On the flipside, there is a growing concern that some claims for microbiomes, especially in relation to human health, far exceed the scientific data.
This Very Short Introduction is an essential guide to the fast-moving discipline of microbiome science. It accessibly distills the key facts about our resident microbiomes, explains how and why our health and wellbeing depend on them, and provides readers with the fundamental knowledge they need to judge the reliability of claims about microbiome-based applications.
ABOUT THE The Very Short Introduction series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
The term 'microbiomes' encapsulates an important scientific breakthrough of recent years. This is the realization that humans, other animals, and plants harbour communities of microorganisms which are mostly beneficial but can occasionally cause or exacerbate disease. Our quickly developing understanding of microbiomes is being translated into novel microbial therapies for human disease and is contributing to sustainable practices in agriculture and food production. On the flipside, there is a growing concern that some claims for microbiomes, especially in relation to human health, far exceed the scientific data.
This Very Short Introduction is an essential guide to the fast-moving discipline of microbiome science. It accessibly distills the key facts about our resident microbiomes, explains how and why our health and wellbeing depend on them, and provides readers with the fundamental knowledge they need to judge the reliability of claims about microbiome-based applications.
ABOUT THE The Very Short Introduction series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
- GenresScienceBiologyNonfiction
133 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
6 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Angela E. Douglas
10 books3 followersAngela Elizabeth Douglas (born 1956) is a British entomologist who researches insect nutrition, and is known for her research on symbiotic relationships between insects and microorganisms. She has been the Daljit S. and Elaine Sarkaria Professor of Insect Physiology and Toxicology at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, since 2008, and previously held a chair at the University of York (2003–8).
Source: Wikipedia
Source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 26, 2024
3.5/5, good. Author Angela E. Douglas provides an accessible introduction to the important subject of microbiome science. This is a quickly progressing field that may have very important ramifications to human health, along with the health of other lifeforms on our planet.
Some quotes:
*
“The bacteria had the planet to themselves for approximately 2 billion years, and many biologists argue that bacteria remain the dominant living organisms to this day.” (p. 2).
*
“Individuals with a diet rich in plant fibre favour a species-rich gut microbiome that is generally associated with good metabolic and immunological health, while diets that include ultra-processed foods with high levels of sugars and fat promote a low diversity microbiome, sometimes dominated by species correlated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Generally, a major shift in diet alters the microbiome, and the change can be very rapid.” (p. 23).
*
“The cell is the fundamental building block of living organisms. Every cell continuously synthesizes new materials, including proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, for maintenance and growth, and generates energy to support these activities.” (p. 36).
*
“Metabolism is the set of reactions in the cells of an organism that consume nutrient inputs to generate energy and the building blocks for maintenance, growth, and reproduction.” (p. 36)
*
“…there are increasing indications that complex behavioural traits, including learning, memory, and emotional state, may be influenced by the composition and activities of the gut microbiome. (p. 52).
*
“Plants dominate most terrestrial ecosystems, and they provide most of our food. Today, half the world’s habitable land is devoted to food production, much of it by unsustainable methods. Many of the strategies to promote sustainable agricultural practice involve plant microbiomes.” (p. 88).
**
Douglas, A.E. (2022). Microbiomes: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.
Title: Microbiomes: A Very Short Introduction
Author(s): Angela E. Douglas
Series: Oxford Very Short Introductions
Year: 2022
Genre: Nonfiction - Science
Page count: 155 pages
Date(s) read: 1/23/24-1/24/24
Book #25 in 2024
**
Some quotes:
*
“The bacteria had the planet to themselves for approximately 2 billion years, and many biologists argue that bacteria remain the dominant living organisms to this day.” (p. 2).
*
“Individuals with a diet rich in plant fibre favour a species-rich gut microbiome that is generally associated with good metabolic and immunological health, while diets that include ultra-processed foods with high levels of sugars and fat promote a low diversity microbiome, sometimes dominated by species correlated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Generally, a major shift in diet alters the microbiome, and the change can be very rapid.” (p. 23).
*
“The cell is the fundamental building block of living organisms. Every cell continuously synthesizes new materials, including proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, for maintenance and growth, and generates energy to support these activities.” (p. 36).
*
“Metabolism is the set of reactions in the cells of an organism that consume nutrient inputs to generate energy and the building blocks for maintenance, growth, and reproduction.” (p. 36)
*
“…there are increasing indications that complex behavioural traits, including learning, memory, and emotional state, may be influenced by the composition and activities of the gut microbiome. (p. 52).
*
“Plants dominate most terrestrial ecosystems, and they provide most of our food. Today, half the world’s habitable land is devoted to food production, much of it by unsustainable methods. Many of the strategies to promote sustainable agricultural practice involve plant microbiomes.” (p. 88).
**
Douglas, A.E. (2022). Microbiomes: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.
Title: Microbiomes: A Very Short Introduction
Author(s): Angela E. Douglas
Series: Oxford Very Short Introductions
Year: 2022
Genre: Nonfiction - Science
Page count: 155 pages
Date(s) read: 1/23/24-1/24/24
Book #25 in 2024
**
October 15, 2025
I read this after hearing Brett Finlay speak on The Art of Manliness podcast about his book The Microbiome Master Key. I couldn’t easily find a copy of that book, so I turned to this one instead, having had good experiences with the Very Short Introduction series.
I learned that we are only at the beginning of understanding the microbiome — the vast community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that live within and around us. Douglas highlights how complex and dynamic these systems are, and how difficult it is to prove our theories or manipulate microbiomes reliably to achieve healthy balance.
Douglas also gave me a better appreciation of orchids. Some orchids lack the ability to photosynthesise or produce key nutrients for themselves, and rely entirely on their local microbiome to survive, flower, and grow. In my professional practice, I often use orchids — alongside daffodils — as metaphors for human temperament and resilience: some people, like orchids, need very particular conditions to thrive, while others, like daffodils, flourish almost anywhere.
I liked this book — short, clear, and to the point. It serves as a good first step into a topic I’m deeply interested in. I plan to keep reading about microbiomes, especially their role in supporting both physical and mental health.
I learned that we are only at the beginning of understanding the microbiome — the vast community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that live within and around us. Douglas highlights how complex and dynamic these systems are, and how difficult it is to prove our theories or manipulate microbiomes reliably to achieve healthy balance.
Douglas also gave me a better appreciation of orchids. Some orchids lack the ability to photosynthesise or produce key nutrients for themselves, and rely entirely on their local microbiome to survive, flower, and grow. In my professional practice, I often use orchids — alongside daffodils — as metaphors for human temperament and resilience: some people, like orchids, need very particular conditions to thrive, while others, like daffodils, flourish almost anywhere.
I liked this book — short, clear, and to the point. It serves as a good first step into a topic I’m deeply interested in. I plan to keep reading about microbiomes, especially their role in supporting both physical and mental health.
August 31, 2023
Freaky and disturbing. Gotta say I love her ability to write about complicated stuff like it's simple, and constantly evaluating and often deconstructing the recent growth of perceived wisdom in this suddenly popular field. I for one have been trotting out the misleading fact that serotonin is generated in the stomach, and if I understand the author correctly, that's true AND irrelevant, because the serotonin we all talk about, the feel good neurotransmitter, isn't produced in the gut. I was continually surprised how she could explain the general concept in a clear way, sometimes even entertaining with her dry wit, before completely losing me in the science that proved it. Also I now will think about the ramifications of germ-free mice at least one a week for the rest of my life
April 14, 2024
Great book
Great book if you want an overview of the microbiome and its functioning. For a more thorough investigation buy Angela Douglas textbook on the micrebiome.
Great book if you want an overview of the microbiome and its functioning. For a more thorough investigation buy Angela Douglas textbook on the micrebiome.
May 20, 2024
fills another blackhole.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews