Individual gut bacteria, on their own, struggle to stop harmful microbes. Yet when they act together as a community, they can slow the growth of dangerous bacteria by thousands of times. This finding comes from a study conducted by scientists at Oxford University and published in Science. — Source: Oxford University, Science
The human gut hosts hundreds of bacterial types that help shield the intestines from invaders. In a comprehensive test, researchers examined 100 different gut bacteria, both solo and in various combinations, to see how effectively they could curb the growth of two harmful species: Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella enterica. — Source: Oxford University, Science
Individually, gut bacteria showed limited power against pathogen spread. But when scientists formed communities containing up to 50 distinct species, the growth of pathogens slowed by a factor of about a thousand. This effect appeared both in laboratory cultures and in the guts of mice. Interestingly, some bacteria proved to be valuable mostly within mixed communities and offered little benefit when isolated. — Source: Oxford University, Science
The researchers found that the protective effect arises because intestinal bacteria compete for nutrients needed by the invading microbes. In other words, the most effective defenders are those that resemble beneficial bacteria most closely, enabling them to outcompete pathogens for essential resources. — Source: Oxford University, Science
These insights open the door to new strategies for restoring gut microbial diversity after antibiotic treatments. If therapies can encourage a balanced microbial ecosystem, patients may recover healthier gut function more quickly and with fewer disruptions to their microbiome. — Source: Oxford University, Science
Additional notes from the study indicate that certain types of sugars or prebiotic substances could play a role in supporting beneficial communities, potentially reducing infection risk and promoting resilience in the intestinal environment. As researchers continue to translate these findings into clinical practice, the focus remains on fostering a robust, cooperative microbiome rather than relying on single-species interventions. — Source: Oxford University, Science