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The microbiota co-existing with humans can be classified into 3 distinctive groups: pathogenic, commensal and probiotic. This book is about the probiotic ones and trying to shed the light on how these bacteria confer their positive effects on humans. An in-vitro intestinal epithelial model is used to better understand molecular processes how well-documented probiotic strains of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli ´cross-talk´ with human enterocytes. The new biological processes and entities of bacteria as well as of enterocytes are described as a novel putative modes of action in bacteria-host interactions. Several new hypothesis suitable for consequent research studies are speculated in the last chapter. All in all the presented research and findings could impact new strategies for better and more targeted screening for probiotic strains with the improved health benefits for humans.

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Ondrej Valina received his industrial PhD in molecular biology from University of Southern Denmark. The PhD work was done in close collaboration with the global Danish food ingredients company Chr. Hansen. He is currently working as a medical advisor in Sysmex - an in-vitro medical diagnostics company.

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