Bioscience Method 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 76-88 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 82 provided resistance against soil-borne pathogens, significantly reducing disease incidence (Shayanthan et al., 2022). Additionally, SynComs are being used to improve soil health by enhancing the microbial diversity and function within the soil microbiome. This approach not only supports sustainable agriculture practices but also reduces the dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides (Martins et al., 2023). Figure 3 A framework for tailoring stable and effective synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) to enhance crop resiliency to environmental stresses (Adpot from de Souza et al., 2020) Image caption: The selection of microbes in a culture collection is based on functional and empirical evidence, regardless of taxonomic classification. The rationale is driven by using both genome and microbial profiling data in the selection of key microbial candidates. Machine learning and artificial intelligence computational tools drive crucial steps in identifying microorganisms possessing traits for robust colonization, prevalence throughout plant development, and specific beneficial functions for plants. As a proof of concept for SynCom effectiveness, tools for plant phenotyping serve as an important diagnostic platform for measuring the impact of SynComs addressing the demand for both increased productivity and plant resiliency (Adapt from de Souza et al., 2020) 4.3 SynComs in human health and disease SynComs are being explored for their applications in human health, particularly in treating gastrointestinal disorders and metabolic diseases. Engineered SynComs composed of beneficial gut microbes are used to restore a healthy microbiota balance in patients with conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Clostridioides difficile infections. These SynComs modulate the gut microbiota, enhance the intestinal barrier function, and reduce inflammation, providing therapeutic benefits. For instance, a SynCom designed to include specific strains of Bacteroides and Lactobacillus has shown promise in alleviating symptoms of IBD in clinical trials (van Leeuwen et al., 2023). Moreover, SynComs are being developed as live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. By engineering gut microbiota that can modulate host metabolism, researchers aim to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce systemic inflammation, offering a novel approach to managing these chronic conditions (Zmora et al., 2018). Additionally, SynComs have potential applications in cancer therapy. Engineered microbial communities can be designed to produce anti-cancer compounds or enhance the efficacy of existing treatments by modulating the tumor microenvironment. For example, SynComs that include bacteria capable of producing short-chain fatty acids have been shown to inhibit tumor growth and improve the response to immunotherapy (Frankel et al., 2021). 5 Advanced Analytical Techniques 5.1 Microscopy techniques for visualizing microbial interactions Microscopy techniques play a crucial role in visualizing and understanding microbial interactions at the cellular and subcellular levels. Fluorescence microscopy, for example, has been significantly enhanced by computer
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