This title includes a number of Open Access chapters. The study of the intestinal ecosystem of bacteria in the human gut-the gut microbiome-is a new field that is rapidly evolving. This book serves as an introduction to some of the new and exciting research that is being done in this field. Included are chapters that examine the following: • Gut microbiome's roles in the pathogenesis of obesity and autoimmune disease • The effect of nutrition on the richness of the microbial community • The stability of the microbiome to various stressors • Emerging ways to diagnose diseases using the microbiome • Exciting prospects for using these microbes to cure disease This easily accessible reference volume offers a comprehensive guide to this relatively new field of study. Edited by a researcher from Yale University, is an authoritative and easy-to-use reference, ideal for both researchers in the field and those who wish to gain more information about the impact of gut microbiota on human health.