Over the last decade, omics technologies have prompted us to recognize the importance of the complex interactions between the human microbiome, virome, and nutraceuticals (i.e., oligosaccharides, polyphenols) in maintaining the homeostasis of the human body. Research focus has shifted to their dynamic functions and interactions, resulting in many potential targets for developing new strategies to improve our health and lifespan. The outcomes emerging from this field of biomedical research also allow the scientific community to state and explore the role of the human microbiome and virome in several diseases.
However, a more extensive effort is still needed to move forward our understanding of this mosaic of biological components and their relationship with the health-illness process. Our ability to mitigate disease emergence is undermined by our imperfect knowledge of viral threats', diversity and ecology, and their interplay with the microbiome. For example, the current global pandemic of COVID-19 has taught us that the microbiome and virome respond to infection and might influence disease progression and treatment outcome. Some questions still to answer in the complex interactions between the human microbiome, virome and nutraceuticals include: How can these factors enhance or ameliorate inflammatory responses? What profiles of these factors interact in the development of mild or severe illness? How can we take advantage of these interactions to design or improve therapeutics based on these factors? Furthermore, can we use them to reduce our risks of developing a disease by working with our body's natural defenses to build protection?
The modulation of the human microbiota through probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary fibers, is a recognized strategy to improve health and prevent diseases such as type 1 diabetes, asthma, allergies, and even neurodevelopmental disorders. Yet, we are only beginning to understand the impact of these interventions on the microbiota profiles and the physiological consequences for the human host, thus forging the way towards evidence-based scientific validation.
Probiotics and prebiotics have immunomodulating capabilities by influencing the microbial profiles and dampening the activity of pathobiont microbes. Probiotic bacteria are efficient due to their multifactorial dependency, namely on several factors that include agents used, the dose, the pattern of dosing, the characteristics of the host, the underlying microbial environment, and the activity of bacteriophages. Furthermore, little is still known about the influence that biomolecules as prebiotics exert on viral communities in the microbiome (also referred to as "dark matter") or their interactions with other biomolecules and host bacterial communities.
Therefore, this Research Topic aims to better understand the role that nutraceuticals, viruses, and microbes play separately or in conjunction, and to optimize the communication between biomedical and clinical science.
We welcome reviews, mini-reviews, and original research articles that provide an in-depth understanding of but not limited to the following subthemes:
1. Use of nutraceuticals and pre/probiotics in disease treatment and prevention, focused on in vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies.
2. The mechanisms involved in the interactions of nutraceuticals, the microbiome, and viruses with the immune system.
3. The mechanisms underlying immunomodulatory effects of nutraceuticals.
4. Relationships of viruses, microbes, and nutraceuticals with genetic, chronic, and infection diseases.
5. The interplay of microbiome and virome in COVID-19 patients.
Over the last decade, omics technologies have prompted us to recognize the importance of the complex interactions between the human microbiome, virome, and nutraceuticals (i.e., oligosaccharides, polyphenols) in maintaining the homeostasis of the human body. Research focus has shifted to their dynamic functions and interactions, resulting in many potential targets for developing new strategies to improve our health and lifespan. The outcomes emerging from this field of biomedical research also allow the scientific community to state and explore the role of the human microbiome and virome in several diseases.
However, a more extensive effort is still needed to move forward our understanding of this mosaic of biological components and their relationship with the health-illness process. Our ability to mitigate disease emergence is undermined by our imperfect knowledge of viral threats', diversity and ecology, and their interplay with the microbiome. For example, the current global pandemic of COVID-19 has taught us that the microbiome and virome respond to infection and might influence disease progression and treatment outcome. Some questions still to answer in the complex interactions between the human microbiome, virome and nutraceuticals include: How can these factors enhance or ameliorate inflammatory responses? What profiles of these factors interact in the development of mild or severe illness? How can we take advantage of these interactions to design or improve therapeutics based on these factors? Furthermore, can we use them to reduce our risks of developing a disease by working with our body's natural defenses to build protection?
The modulation of the human microbiota through probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary fibers, is a recognized strategy to improve health and prevent diseases such as type 1 diabetes, asthma, allergies, and even neurodevelopmental disorders. Yet, we are only beginning to understand the impact of these interventions on the microbiota profiles and the physiological consequences for the human host, thus forging the way towards evidence-based scientific validation.
Probiotics and prebiotics have immunomodulating capabilities by influencing the microbial profiles and dampening the activity of pathobiont microbes. Probiotic bacteria are efficient due to their multifactorial dependency, namely on several factors that include agents used, the dose, the pattern of dosing, the characteristics of the host, the underlying microbial environment, and the activity of bacteriophages. Furthermore, little is still known about the influence that biomolecules as prebiotics exert on viral communities in the microbiome (also referred to as "dark matter") or their interactions with other biomolecules and host bacterial communities.
Therefore, this Research Topic aims to better understand the role that nutraceuticals, viruses, and microbes play separately or in conjunction, and to optimize the communication between biomedical and clinical science.
We welcome reviews, mini-reviews, and original research articles that provide an in-depth understanding of but not limited to the following subthemes:
1. Use of nutraceuticals and pre/probiotics in disease treatment and prevention, focused on in vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies.
2. The mechanisms involved in the interactions of nutraceuticals, the microbiome, and viruses with the immune system.
3. The mechanisms underlying immunomodulatory effects of nutraceuticals.
4. Relationships of viruses, microbes, and nutraceuticals with genetic, chronic, and infection diseases.
5. The interplay of microbiome and virome in COVID-19 patients.
