Navigating the translational labyrinth of the gut microbiota

Abstract Modern gut microbiota research, enabled by high-throughput sequencing, has established gastrointestinal microbial communities as integral components of host biology across the animals and humans. Animal studies established their roles in polysaccharide fermentation, nutrient utilization, and host physiology, while human investigations linked microbiota variation to metabolic and inflammatory conditions. The Gut Microbiota Collection ( https://www.nature.com/collections/jhdjahhcea ) brings together studies across host species, populations, and systems to offer more insights in how diet, geography, and host physiology shape microbiota composition and function.