microbiota

[mahy-kroh-bahy-oh-tuh]

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. the microorganisms, both flora and fauna, that inhabit a particular region, when considered collectively.

2. the microorganisms that live in the human body, symbiotically or pathologically.

Word History and Origins

Origin of microbiota¹

First recorded in 1925–30; micro- ( def. ) + biota ( def. )

Example Sentences

Assuming a bloom of virulent C. acnes was to blame, I hypothesized that recolonizing my skin microbiota with probiotic LAB could effectively treat my acne.

From Slate

"Variation in the gut microbiota is an unexplored mechanism in which primate metabolism could facilitate different brain-energetic requirements," Amato said.

From Science Daily

While the study suggests that K. pintolopesii is a good model for fungal commensalism, it also raises important questions: Is this fungus a normal component of the mouse microbiota that should always be present in lab mice, especially for studies touching on immunology?

From Science Daily

A new study has shown that variation in the microbiota of the human gut impacts the pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen and thus the effectiveness of the drug.

From Science Daily

It stayed the same in animals with and without gut microbiota and in tissue collected at night or during the day, suggesting that neither the microbiome nor circadian rhythms impacted the spatial landscape.

From Science Daily