The article reviews the current state of research on the role of the gut microbiome in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). It highlights how genetic studies have linked IBD to aberrant immune responses to the intestinal microbiota. Recent profiling studies have identified characteristic shifts in the composition of the intestinal microbiota in IBD patients, suggesting that IBD results from altered interactions between the intestinal microbes and the mucosal immune system. The article discusses the impact of environmental factors such as diet and age on the gut microbiome and the protective effects of specific gut bacteria against IBD. It also explores the functional composition of the gut microbiome in IBD, noting that while taxonomic profiling has revealed shifts in microbial diversity, metagenomic approaches provide a more detailed understanding of microbial functions. The article concludes by discussing future directions for research, emphasizing the need for longitudinal studies and multifaceted approaches to better understand the complex interactions between the host and the gut microbiome in IBD.The article reviews the current state of research on the role of the gut microbiome in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). It highlights how genetic studies have linked IBD to aberrant immune responses to the intestinal microbiota. Recent profiling studies have identified characteristic shifts in the composition of the intestinal microbiota in IBD patients, suggesting that IBD results from altered interactions between the intestinal microbes and the mucosal immune system. The article discusses the impact of environmental factors such as diet and age on the gut microbiome and the protective effects of specific gut bacteria against IBD. It also explores the functional composition of the gut microbiome in IBD, noting that while taxonomic profiling has revealed shifts in microbial diversity, metagenomic approaches provide a more detailed understanding of microbial functions. The article concludes by discussing future directions for research, emphasizing the need for longitudinal studies and multifaceted approaches to better understand the complex interactions between the host and the gut microbiome in IBD.