Summary
This narrative review bridges plant and human microbiome research by proposing conceptual and functional analogies between the rhizosphere and the human gut microbiome, particularly the colon. By examining shared metabolic pathways, receptors, and adaptive responses to selection pressures shaped by agriculture and lifestyle, the authors argue for an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to understanding host-microbiome interactions. The framework aims to leverage insights from agricultural microbiology to inform human health research and vice versa, with potential applications to global challenges in both domains.
Regional applicability
The findings are conceptual rather than empirical, proposing a framework applicable across geographies where agricultural and human microbiome research are conducted. UK-based researchers in soil science, plant breeding, and medical microbiology may find the integrated perspective valuable for designing cross-disciplinary studies, though specific transferability depends on how the proposed analogies are operationalised in future empirical work.
Key measures
Comparative analysis of metabolites and receptors mediating host-microbiome communication; examination of ecological principles and evolutionary pressures shared across rhizosphere and gut ecosystems
Outcomes reported
This narrative review identifies functional and ecological parallels between plant rhizosphere and human gut microbiomes, examining shared evolutionary principles and host-microbiome communication mechanisms. The paper proposes the human colon as an 'inside-out' version of the rhizosphere, suggesting convergent adaptation driven by agriculture, lifestyle, and nutrient selection.
Topic tags
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