Chapter 3 Gene-environment factors influence microbiota composition, diversity, and function

The composition, diversity, and function of commensal microbes is influenced by genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. In order to understand how the microbiome contributes to health and disease, it is important to consider these factors in an integrative and wholistic manner. As more researchers integrate the microbiome into animal and clinical studies, a reliable and reproducible map of how these different factors influence the microbiome and microbiota-brain communication is needed. Further, there is a gap in our understanding of how gene, environment, and lifestyle factors interact with the microbiome to influence health and disease. This chapter will examine animal and human studies related to the influence of host genetics on microbiota composition. In addition, advances in genetic approaches and experimental tools to tackle this problem will be discussed as well as future considerations.