Antimicrobial resistance has gained our attention, extending the interest in bacteriology research and upgraded it in such a way that we no longer look at bacteria only as dangerous enemies, but also as fantastic allies.

Why allies? Microbiota is one of the greatest, but an almost invisible armour the human body owns which functions similarly to an external immune system. What is known so far is that the human microbiome is a very dynamic and protective layer consisting of beneficial microbes which defend us from the threatening ones.

Bacteria are both nutritional advisers and psychologists, as they can help us check up on our mood from the inside of our digestive system, and if we listen carefully, they also dictate the perfect recipes for our next meals! The gut is lined with millions of protective microbial species such as Lactobacillus spp., Bacteroidetes spp., Firmicutes spp., which help digestion and nutrients absorption. Not only this, but such complex bugs can shape one’s mood based on their abundance, because of their close friendship with the neurological component of the digestive apparatus. Impressively, these good germs schedule the right time for infants to receive certain foods or to stop breastfeeding, depending on the diversity of the local microflora which progressively evolves and differentiates from the mothers’ one.

A recent captivating question is when we choose to look at the microflora in a positive way. Microbial timing is a box full of precious information. Once it has been fully elucidated, it will empower us to understand how the body defends from pathogens, and to depict the preparatory mechanisms for distinct physiological processes and growth.

Since these protective tiny living creatures can tell body’s developmental story, imagine what terrific self-time management skills they might possess! There is no doubt that by understanding how their clock ticks, science will be able to solve many impactful public health issues, from epidemics, antimicrobial resistance, to obesity, depression, fight against viral infections and many more.