Honor Thy Lodgers? – Structure and Function of the Human Built Environment Microbiome

Abstract

AbstractThe microbiome of the built environment (BE) and its interactions with the human occupants represent a new and highly interdisciplinary research field. The BE is characterized by a great microbial diversity as well as very fluctuating environmental conditions and sharp gradients of physicochemical parameters, which significantly shape the resident microbiomes. A great significance of the BE microbiome for human health is obvious, but far from being fully understood. However, there is a growing body of evidence that antimicrobial and probiotic strategies will have to be balanced in a well-considered manner to successfully manage the BE microbiome in a way that finally is most beneficial for human health.