Human Microbiome Modulators: A Computational Biology Approach
Description
This book presents a timely and comprehensive examination of the evolving relationship between the human microbiome, pharmacology, and computational science. This volume delves into how computational tools are transforming our understanding of microbiome-host-drug interactions and enabling the development of microbiome-targeted therapeutics. It explores in silico methodologies that predict microbial responses, model drug-induced dysbiosis, and design precision interventions to improve health outcomes.
The book is grounded in the recognition that the microbiome plays a critical role in immunity, chronic disease progression, and therapeutic efficacy. With detailed attention to the gut-brain axis, cancer prevention, personalized nutrition, and the metabolic activity of phytochemicals, the chapters offer a rich analysis of natural and synthetic modulators. It highlights how probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics influence health and disease, particularly when assessed through computational models.
In its second half, the volume shifts focus to the technological and analytical tools that power modern microbiome research. Topics include machine learning, virtual screening, molecular docking, systems biology, and multi-omics integration. Together, these tools offer scalable and predictive insights that can guide the discovery of novel therapies. The final section addresses ethical and regulatory challenges, clinical translation, and future directions in personalized microbiome medicine. A pioneering resource bridging biology, pharmacology, and computation, this book is intended for researchers, clinicians, pharmaceutical scientists, and graduate students engaged in microbiome science, drug discovery, computational biology, and precision medicine.
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Persons
Prof. Anupam Das Talukdar is Professor of Life Science & Bioinformatics and Director of the Bioinformatics Center at Assam University, Silchar. A Gold Medalist in Life Science (Botany), CSIR-UGC NET qualified scholar, and recipient of the prestigious DBT Overseas Associateship (2013), he earned his Ph.D. for his seminal work on the phytochemical profiling of the Cyatheaceae of Southern Assam, research that laid the foundation for his enduring contributions to medicinal plant biochemistry and ethnopharmacology. He is also a recipient of the Sabitri Bhattacharjee Memorial Award in recognition of his distinguished academic career. With more than 120 peer-reviewed publications (average impact factor 3.95; h-index 31; i10-index 82), Prof. Talukdar has built an internationally recognised research profile spanning phytochemistry, ethnomedicine, functional genomics, antimicrobial resistance research, plant tissue culture, and natural product-based drug discovery. His scholarship integrates traditional medicinal knowledge with advanced computational biology, strengthening the scientific validation and translational potential of plant-derived therapeutics. He has directed six completed and currently leads one ongoing nationally funded research project as Principal Investigator, supported by agencies including DBT, DST-SERB, and UGC, with cumulative competitive funding of approximately ?448 lakhs, and has additionally contributed to collaborative research projects exceeding ?300 lakhs as Co-Principal Investigator. An accomplished academic leader and mentor, he has supervised 15 Ph.D. scholars, co-supervised 7 Ph.D. scholars, currently guiding 4 doctoral candidates, and has supervised 5 M.Phil. scholars. He has edited five internationally published books and convened major scientific conferences. Awarded the Dr. S.P. Borah Memorial Award (2026) by the Botanical Society of Assam, Prof. Talukdar's work embodies the convergence of ethnomedicine and computational biology, marking him as a distinguished contributor to contemporary natural product research and modern drug discovery.
Prof. (Dr.) Amritesh Chandra Shukla is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, specialising in plant sciences, phytochemistry, and biotechnology. He holds a D.Sc. and D.Phil. in Botany from the University of Allahabad and has completed a certification in German language proficiency. With over 80 peer reviewed publications, he has made significant contributions to plant-based drug discovery and sustainable agriculture. Prof. Shukla has authored and edited 16 books with leading publishers like Springer and Elsevier and has contributed 55 book chapters. His research excellence is recognised globally, with five patents granted in the USA, UK, Japan, Germany, and India. He has secured national and international funding, including a European Union Project (No. 894416) and 12 major Indian government-funded projects, with grants exceeding ?1.86 crore. A renowned academic mentor, he has supervised 20 Ph.D. scholars (12 awarded). His h-index (23) and i10-index (43) reflect his impactful research in ethnobotany, medicinal plant biotechnology, and environmental sustainability. Prof. Shukla has served as a Visiting Professor at the University of British Columbia, Canada, and the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius. His work continues to shape the future of plant sciences, phytochemistry, and translational research in natural product development.
Content
Chapter 1. The Human Microbiome, Dysbiosis, and Microbiome-Based Therapies.- Chapter 2. Phytochemicals, Microbial Metabolism, and Their Role in Chronic Disease Modulation.- Chapter 3. PROBIOTICS, PREBIOTICS, SYNBIOTICS AND THE GUT BRAIN AXIS IN PRECISION HEALTH.- Chapter 4. Microbiome Modulation in Cancer Prevention, Personalized Nutrition, and Precision Medicine.- Chapter 5. Overview of In Silico Methods in Microbiome Studies.- Chapter 6. Technological Frontiers in Microbiome Research: From Metagenomic Profiling to Functional and Spatial Characterization.- Chapter 7. Machine Learning Applications in Predicting Microbial Interactions.- Chapter 8. Multi-Omics Integration for Microbiome Analysis.- Chapter 9. Virtual Screening of Microbiome Modulators: Mechanisms, Computational Approaches, and Therapeutic Applications.- Chapter 10. Molecular Docking and Dynamics for Microbial Target Prediction.- chapter 11. NETWORK BIOLOGY IN MICROBIOME MODULATION.- Chapter 12. AI-based tools for predicting gut age index and health status.- Chapter 13. Systems Biology Models in Microbiome Therapeutics.- Chapter 14. The Ethical and Regulatory Considerations in Microbiome-Based Research and Therapeutics.- Chapter 15. Translating Microbiome Research into Clinical Practice.- Chapter 16. Future Direction in Gut Microbiome Modulation.