The human microbiome, a complex ecosystem of microorganisms residing in and on the body, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of a wide range of physiological processes, including digestion, immune responses, and metabolic functions. In recent years, the rapidly growing field of microbiome-driven therapeutics has garnered significant attention owing to its potential to revolutionize healthcare. This review explores the evolving landscape of microbiome-based therapies, with a particular focus on the gut microbiome and its implications for both gut health and precision medicine. We highlight recent advances in understanding how microbial communities influence disease pathogenesis and treatment outcomes, spanning conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), metabolic disorders, neurological diseases, and even cancer. This article also discusses emerging therapeutic strategies, including probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and microbial-based drugs, as well as the challenges associated with their clinical implementation. Additionally, we examined how the integration of microbiome profiling and metagenomic data is advancing the field of precision medicine, paving the way for personalized and effective treatments. This review serves as a comprehensive resource that synthesizes current knowledge, identifies key gaps in microbiome research, and offers insights into the future direction of microbiome-driven therapeutics, thus providing a valuable framework for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers seeking to harness the potential of microbiomes to advance personalized healthcare solutions.

CRISPR-Cas systems are best known as adaptive immune defenses in prokaryotes, but they also function as versatile regulators bridging bacterial immunity with host-related processes. Beyond neutralizing invasive phages and plasmids, these systems influence core aspects of bacterial physiology, such as modulating gene expression, stress responses, biofilm formation, quorum sensing, and virulence. Notably, CRISPR-mediated regulation can facilitate immune evasion at the host-pathogen interface, underscoring these systems as central orchestrators of microbial survival and host interactions. In addition, CRISPR-Cas has rapidly become a cornerstone of synthetic biology and microbiome engineering. Recent strategies repurpose native and engineered CRISPR systems to precisely modulate microbiome composition or deliver sequence-specific antimicrobials, underscoring the expanding translational potential of this system. Collectively, emerging insights highlight both the canonical immune function and non-canonical regulatory roles of CRISPR-Cas, as well as their broad biological and biotechnological relevance. This review provides a critical synthesis of these developments, illustrating how CRISPR-Cas bridges adaptive immunity and microbial physiology, and outlines future directions for harnessing this duality to deepen understanding of microbial physiology and inform new translational applications.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pathogens transmitted through food poses a significant threat to global public health, complicating infection treatment and increasing mortality rates. This review explores the role of resistome mapping as a crucial tool for understanding the transmission dynamics of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter spp., as well as various techniques for resistome mapping, such as metagenomic sequencing, PCR-based methods, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS), highlighting the significance of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) as a key mechanism for ARG dissemination in foodborne pathogens. Additionally, we investigated the influence of agricultural practices and environmental factors on AMR development, highlighting the critical need for improved surveillance, antibiotic stewardship, and global collaboration to mitigate the spread of resistant ARGs through the food chain. The perceptions gained from resistome mapping play an essential role in developing effective approaches to address AMR and to ensure food safety.

The human microbiome, a complex ecosystem of microorganisms residing in and on the body, plays a pivotal role in regulating a wide range of physiological processes, including digestion, immune responses, and metabolic functions. In recent years, the rapidly growing field of microbiome-driven therapeutics has garnered significant attention for its potential to revolutionize healthcare. This review explores the evolving landscape of microbiome-based therapies, with a particular focus on the gut microbiome and its implications for both gut health and precision medicine. We highlight recent advances in understanding how microbial communities influence disease pathogenesis and treatment outcomes, spanning conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), metabolic disorders, neurological diseases, and even cancer. This article also discusses emerging therapeutic strategies, including probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and microbial-based drugs, as well as the challenges associated with their clinical implementation. Additionally, we examined how the integration of microbiome profiling and metagenomic data is advancing the field of precision medicine, paving the way for more personalized and effective treatments. This review serves as a comprehensive resource that synthesizes current knowledge, identifies key gaps in microbiome research, and offers insights into the future direction of microbiome-driven therapeutics, thus providing a valuable framework for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers seeking to harness the potential of the microbiome to advance personalized healthcare solutions.

Authors: *Muneer Yaqub1, Abdulbasit Balogun Opeyemi2, Gaius BalaAffiliations: 1. The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA 2. School of Medical Laboratory sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria

Objective This study aims to evaluate the oral hygiene practices and their effectiveness in preventing common oral diseases among the residents of the Akpugo community in Enugu State, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 randomly selected participants from the five villages of Akpugo. Data collection involved personal interviews and physical examinations of oral cavities using sterilized instruments. The analysis included percentage calculations, z-tests, and the categorization of participants by socio-economic groups based on age and gender. Results The study revealed a high prevalence of oral diseases, with 29.3% of participants having dental caries, 19.3% suffering from halitosis, 18% diagnosed with gingivitis, and 10% with periodontitis. Most participants (90.7%) brushed their teeth once daily, predominantly in the morning, and only 5.3% brushed twice daily. A majority used toothbrushes and toothpaste (58%), while a significant portion still relied on traditional methods such as chewing sticks (26.67%). The presence of dental calculus was observed in 47.3% of participants, with dental plaque noted in 16.7%. Conclusion The findings highlight a significant prevalence of poor oral health despite varying levels of awareness regarding preventive practices. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions, including comprehensive oral health education programs, the establishment of dental centers, and community-led initiatives to improve oral hygiene practices. These measures are crucial for reducing the incidence of oral diseases and enhancing the overall health and well-being of the Akpugo community. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous education and intervention to promote optimal oral health in rural areas.