Microbial metabolites as modulators of the infant gut microbiome and host-microbial interactions in early life

The development of infant gut microbiome is a pivotal process affecting the ecology and function of the microbiome, as well as host health. While the establishment of the infant microbiome has been of interest for decades, the focus on gut microbial metabolism and the resulting small molecules (metabolites) has been rather limited. However, technological and computational advances are now enabling researchers to profile the plethora of metabolites in the infant gut, allowing for improved understanding of how gut microbial-derived metabolites drive microbiome community structuring and host-microbial interactions. Here, we review the current knowledge on development of the infant gut microbiota and metabolism within the first year of life, and discuss how these microbial metabolites are key for enhancing our basic understanding of interactions during the early life developmental window.

Automated summary

The development of the infant gut microbiome is crucial for the microbiome ecology, function, and host health. Technological advancements now allow for better profiling of metabolites in the infant gut, providing insights into the roles of microbial-derived metabolites in shaping the microbiome community and influencing host-microbial interactions during early life. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the development of the infant gut microbiota and metabolism within the first year of life, emphasizing the importance of microbial metabolites in enhancing our understanding of early life interactions.