"Gut microbes - Importance in health and disease": World Digestive Health Day 2014

The true diversity and function of the human gut microbiota as well as the extent and nature of its interactions with the host continue to be revealed; though amazing progress has been made in a very short space of time. As the critical role of the heretofore "ignored organ", the gut microbiota, in health and disease has come to be appreciated so has the possibility that modifying the microbiota might be of therapeutic benefit has emerged. That gut bacteria are the topic for WDHD 2014 is, therefore, both appropriate and timely.