Small molecules from the human microbiota

Developments in the use of genomics to guide natural product discovery and a recent emphasis on understanding the molecular mechanisms of microbiota-host interactions have converged on the discovery of small molecules from the human microbiome. Here, we review what is known about small molecules produced by the human microbiota. Numerous molecules representing each of the major metabolite classes have been found that have a variety of biological activities, including immune modulation and antibiosis. We discuss technologies that will affect how microbiota-derived molecules are discovered in the future and consider the challenges inherent in finding specific molecules that are critical for driving microbe-host…

• DA
  David and Lucile Packard Foundation
• BW
  Burroughs Wellcome Fund
• WM
  W. M. Keck Foundation
• PU
  Princeton University
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: AI101018, OD007290, GM081879, DK101674
• DA
  Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

  Award: HR0011-12-C-0067