Intestinal microbiota and the host’s immune system form a symbiotic alliance that sustains normal development and function in the human gut. Changes such as dietary habits among societies in developed countries have led to the development of unbalanced microbial populations in the gut, likely contributing to the dramatic increase in inflammatory diseases in the last few decades. Recent advances in DNA sequencing technologies have tremendously helped to characterize the microbiome associated with disease, both in identifying global alterations and discovering specific biomarkers that potentially contribute to disease pathogenesis, as evidenced by animal studies. Beyond bacterial alterations, non-bacterial components such as fungi, viruses, and microbial metabolites have been implicated in these diseases, influencing immune responses and gut homeostasis. Multi-omics approaches integrating metagenomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics offer a more comprehensive understanding of the microbiome’s role in disease pathogenesis, paving the way for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Unraveling the metagenomic profiles associated with disease may facilitate earlier diagnosis and intervention, as well as the development of more personalized and effective therapeutic strategies. This review synthesizes recent and relevant microbiome research studies aimed at characterizing the microbial signatures associated with inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and celiac disease.

The growing demand for sustainable bioplastics has driven research toward more efficient and cost-effective methods of producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Among the emerging strategies, bioelectrochemical technologies have been identified as a promising approach to enhance PHA production by supplying electrons to microorganisms either directly or indirectly. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in bioelectrochemical PHA synthesis, highlighting the advantages of this method, including increased production rates, the ability to utilize a wide range of substrates (including industrial and agricultural waste), and the potential for process integration with existing systems. Various bioelectrochemical systems (BES), electrode materials, and microbial strategies used for PHA biosynthesis are discussed, with a focus on the roles of electrode potentials and microbial electron transfer mechanisms in improving the polymer yield. The integration of BES into PHA production processes has been shown to reduce costs, enhance productivity, and support the use of renewable carbon sources. However, challenges remain, such as optimizing reactor design, scaling up processes, and improving the electron transfer efficiency. This review emphasizes the advancement of bioelectrochemical technologies combined with the use of agro-industrial waste as a carbon source, aiming to maximize the efficiency and sustainability of PHA production for large-scale industrial applications.