The Human Microbiota in Health and Disease ― An Ecological and Community-based Approach

A human being is a symbiotic system that consists of a mammalian component interacting with a multiplicity of microbes, collectively referred to as the microbiota. The microbiota associated with humans is comprised of a variety of communities, the composition of each being dependant on the particular body site it inhabits. This book describes the various communities inhabiting humans as well as their important roles in human health and disease. An ecological approach has been adopted throughout the book to explain why the microbial community at a particular body site has a particular composition when in balance with the host (eubiosis), and why certain factors can disrupt the balance and induce dysbiosis. The techniques used to determine microbial community composition are discussed and a chapter is devoted to the many factors that underlie this mammalian-microbe symbiosis.

The Human Microbiome In Health And Disease is aimed at senior undergraduates and graduates whose courses include a module on the indigenous microbiota of humans. It will also be useful to professional scientists, clinicians, and others who are keen to know more about the human microbiota and its role in health and disease.

Professor Michael Wilson is Emeritus Professor of Microbiology at University College London (UCL), where he has worked since 1983. He has taught students on Batchelor and Master’s courses in Microbiology covering many aspects of the subject including: The Human Microbiota, Infectious Diseases, Bacterial Pathogenesis, Microbial Biofilms, Infection Control and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

He was also actively engaged in research at UCL and, in recognition of his research achievements, he was awarded a DSc degree in 1999 by the National University of Ireland and in 2011 was appointed Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Academiques by the French Minister of National Education. His main research interests are the indigenous microbiota of humans, biofilms, bacterial pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance and the development of new antimicrobial strategies. He has a great interest in translational research and has applied for 13 patents for inventions in the fields of light-activated antimicrobial agents and water purification. In 1990 he received the National Westminster/British Petroleum Innovation Award and in 1991 the Toshiba "Invention of the Year" Award for inventing a low-technology method of sterilising water for use in developing countries.

He has published 334 peer-reviewed scientific papers and 11 books, one of which ("Bacteriology of Humans: an ecological perspective") was awarded first prize in the Royal Society of Medicine and Society of Authors Medical Book Awards in 2008. He has supervised the research projects of 35 PhD students and 46 MSc students.