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The Human Microbiome Project was a research programme that successfully identified associations between microbial species and healthy or diseased individuals. However, a major challenge identified was the absence of model systems for studying host–microbiome interactions, which would increase our capacity to uncover molecular interactions, understand organ-specificity and discover new microbiome-altering health interventions.Caenorhabditis eleganshas been a pioneering model organism for over 70 years but was largely studied in the absence of a microbiome. Recently, ecological sampling of wild nematodes has uncovered a large amount of natural genetic diversity as well as a slew of associated microbiota. The field has now explored the interactions ofC. eleganswith its associated gut microbiome, a defined and non-random microbial community, highlighting its suitability for dissecting host–microbiome interactions. This core microbiome is being used to study the impact of host genetics, age and stressors on microbiome composition. Furthermore, single microbiome species are being used to dissect molecular interactions between microbes and the animal gut. Being amenable to health altering genetic and non-genetic interventions,C. eleganshas emerged as a promising system to generate and test new hypotheses regarding host–microbiome interactions, with the potential to uncover novel paradigms relevant to other systems. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Sculpting the microbiome: how host factors determine and respond to microbial colonization’.
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This content will become publicly available on May 1, 2026
Replicating Host–Microbiome Interactions: Harnessing Organ-on-a-Chip and Organoid Technologies to Model Vaginal and Lung Physiology
Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) and organoid technologies are at the forefront of developing sophisticated in vitro systems that replicate complex host–microbiome interactions, including those associated with vaginal health and lung infection. We explore how these technologies provide insights into host–microbiome and host–pathogen interactions and the associated immune responses. Integrating omics data and high-resolution imaging in analyzing these models enhances our understanding of host–microbiome interactions' temporal and spatial aspects, paving the way for new diagnostic and treatment strategies. This review underscores the potential of OOC and organoid technologies in elucidating the complexities of vaginal health and lung disease, which have received less attention than other organ systems in recent organoid and OCC studies. Yet, each system presents notable characteristics, rendering them ideal candidates for these designs. Additionally, this review describes the key factors associated with each organ system and how to choose the technology setup to replicate human physiology.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2306738
- PAR ID:
- 10631840
- Publisher / Repository:
- Annual Reviews
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering
- Volume:
- 27
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 1523-9829
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 403 to 423
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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