Bioactive Microbiome-Based Strategies for Correcting Dysbiosis and Restoring Health

The field of microbiome research has increasingly revealed the intricate connections between gut microbial communities and overall human health. Recent studies demonstrate that disruptions in microbiome composition, known as dysbiosis, are implicated in a variety of chronic conditions ranging from gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases to neurodevelopmental (i.e., autism spectrum disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and mood disorders (i.e., anxiety and depression). Despite the expanding body of knowledge, crucial gaps persist in fully elucidating the complex mechanisms underlying these interactions and in developing precise, targeted interventions. While there is growing consensus on the health relevance of gut microbiota and their metabolites, the integration of this understanding into tangible therapeutic and clinical approaches is still evolving.

Accumulating evidence indicates that bioactive microbiome interventions, encompassing probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and synthetic microbial products, show significant promise in modulating the gut-brain and gut-immune axes to support systemic health. Continued progress requires clearer mechanistic studies to establish causal links between specific microbes or metabolites and host responses, with greater emphasis on metabolite-focused research to define their roles in immune, neural, and metabolic regulation. Standardized approaches for microbiome sampling, analysis, and characterization of postbiotics are also essential for improving reproducibility and strengthening the evidence base. Beneficial microbial strains and their derived compounds, such as exopolysaccharides, peptides, and extracellular vesicles (EVs), have been linked to improved immune function, enhanced metabolic regulation, and positive impacts on stress resilience and mental well-being. However, translating these laboratory discoveries into practical, scalable, and safe solutions suitable for use in food systems, nutraceuticals, and healthcare settings requires further scientific investigation and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

This Research Topic aims to advance the understanding and application of bioactive microbiome-based interventions for correcting dysbiosis and restoring both physical and mental health. The main objective is to highlight novel research that investigates how probiotics, engineered microbes, and microbial metabolites influence host biology from molecular to physiological levels. The topic specifically encourages studies introducing new microbial strains or compounds, clarifying their mechanisms of action, and evaluating their effectiveness in preclinical and clinical models. We also seek contributions that address the integration of microbiome-based therapies into food, nutrition, or clinical practice, alongside studies assessing their safety, efficacy, and translational challenges.

The scope of this Research Topic includes experimental, translational, and applied research focused on leveraging microbiome interventions to support health restoration, with the following themes prioritized:

o Gut-brain axis modulation through probiotics or microbial metabolites
o Mechanistic studies on host-microbiome interaction in immune, neural, or metabolic systems
o Applications of psychobiotics and postbiotics in stress, mood, or behaviour
o Microbiome-based strategies for managing dysbiosis-linked conditions
o Use of GRAS organisms such as Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Bifidobacterium in therapeutic or nutritional contexts
o Development of functional foods or supplements targeting microbiome balance
o Safety, efficacy, and translational barriers of microbiome-based products.
o Scalable production, stability assessment, and regulatory readiness of microbiome-derived bioactive compounds to enable their translation into real-world applications.

We welcome a diverse range of article types including Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Hypothesis and Theory, Methods, Perspectives, Opinions, and Systematic Reviews.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Gut microbiota, Dysbiosis, Psychobiotics, Microbiota–gut–brain axis, Bioactive metabolites, Short-chain fatty acids, Microbiome-based therapy, Host–microbe interactions, Immune modulation, Mood disorders, Neurodevelopmental disorders.

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.