Next steps after 15 stimulating years of human gut microbiome research

Gut microbiome research has bloomed over the past 15 years. We have learnt a lot about the complex microbial communities that colonize our intestine. Promising avenues of research and microbiome-based applications are being implemented, with the goal of sustaining host health and applying personalized disease management strategies. Despite this exciting outlook, many fundamental questions about enteric microbial ecosystems remain to be answered. Organizational measures will also need to be taken to optimize the outcome of discoveries happening at an extremely rapid pace. This article highlights our own view of the field and perspectives for the next 15 years.

Automated summary

Gut microbiome research has advanced significantly in the past 15 years, but there are still many unanswered questions about enteric microbial ecosystems. In the next 15 years, besides continuing research, organizational measures will also need to be taken to optimize the outcomes of discoveries.