Genomics in Personalized Medicine with Microbiome Approach

Background and aim: The genomic revolution has paved the way for incorporating a vast amount of personalized information into clinical practice, leading to a transformative impact on medicine and science. The gut microbiome, often referred to as our "second genome," acts as a dynamic interface between the host and its environment, influencing both health and disease risk.
Methods: In this review, we provide a summary of how personalized characterization of microbiome composition and function can contribute to personalized diagnostic assessments, risk stratification, disease prevention, treatment decision-making, and patient follow-up. We also address the limitations, challenges, and potential pitfalls that arise when integrating patient-specific microbial data into clinical practice. The field of microbiome research faces unique challenges and we discuss these challenges to highlight the need for further research and development in this area.
Results: Nutritional interventions and the use of pre-, pro-, and post-biotics offer promising avenues for personalized manipulation of the microbiome. These insights hold the potential to develop individualized approaches that harness the microbiome as a central target in precision medicine.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the integration of personalized microbiome characterization into clinical practice has the potential to revolutionize healthcare. By leveraging the vast amount of information provided by the microbiome, we can enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve risk assessment, refine treatment decisions, and optimize patient care. However, addressing the challenges and limitations in this field is crucial to unlock the full potential of the microbiome as a precision medicine target.