The gut microbiota is the complex community of microbes that live in the digestive tract of humans and animals. In recent years, extensive research into the association of the gut microbiota with health, weight, and even behavior and mood, continue to expand. Food is a major factor that shapes the proportional representation of microorganisms present in the gut microbiota and the relative abundance of its genes (the microbiome). Reciprocally, the configuration of the microbiota/microbiome influences the nutritional value of food.

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Through a series of lectures and discussions, we will explore current research on the link between gut microbiota and health and diseases, among others obesity, diabetes, allergies, Alzheimer, and inflammatory diseases. Topics will include diet-, gut immunity-, and brain-gut microbiome interactions that could lead to diseases or improved health. Modern tools used to study and analyze the microbiome will also be discussed.