by Dr Suneil A Raju
Clinical Research Fellow, Department of Gastroenterology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield, UK

Author: Dr Suneil Raju is an Academic Clinical Fellow in Gastroenterology working in South Yorkshire. He divides his time between clinical and research interests. He is the Yorkshire and Humber British Society of Gastroenterology Trainee Representative, Trainee Associate Editor at Frontline Gastroenterology, South Yorkshire Clinical Academic Society President and sits on the BSG Clinical Services and Standards Committee. The article was peer reviewed by Dr Hugo A. Penny, Clinical Lecturer in Gastroenterology and Professor David S Sanders, Professor of Gastroenterology, both from the Department of Gastroenterology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield.

Target audience: For healthcare professionals interested in learning about probiotics and their effects on the gut microbiome.

Learning objectives: By the end of this article, you should:

- Understand the diagnostic criteria for IBS

- Appreciate the role of probiotics in the treatment of IBS

- Gain insight about the intestinal microbiota in health and disease

- Recap terminology relating to the gut microbiome

- Understand the role of faecal microbiota transplant in the treatment of C.Difficile