Microbes can now be found in nearly every niche the human body offers. However the complexity
of the microbiota of a given site depends on the particular environmental condition thereof.
Only microbes which are able to grow under these conditions will prevail. Recent publications
imply that the microorganisms do not only have multiple critical consequences for host
physiological processes such as postnatal development immunomodulation and energy supply but
also effects on neurodevelopment behavior and cognition. Within this book we will focus on the
techniques behind these developments epigenomics and on the various parts of the human body
which are inhabited by microorganism such as the mouth the gut the skin and the vagina. In
addition chapters are dedicated to the possible manipulations of the microbiota by probiotics
prebiotics and faecal transplantation.
