microbiota
my-kroh-by-OH-tuh
Definition
The community of microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, that reside in or on a specific environment, such as the human gut.
Etymology
The term combines the Greek 'mikros' (small) and 'bios' (life) with the suffix '-ota,' used to denote a collection of organisms found in a specific habitat. It entered scientific literature in the mid-20th century to describe the microscopic biological inhabitants of a particular ecosystem.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the gut microbial community that, when altered, changes how the liver processes and clears chemotherapy drugs. Understanding this community is essential for improving the efficacy of nanoparticle-based cancer treatments.
Reshaping the gut microbiome can boost chemotherapy delivery to tumors
Read the full article ↗UT MD Anderson