Additionally, SynComs allow for the study of low-abundance species, such as keystone taxa [108, 109], which play essential roles within the microbiome but are often undetectable in conventional metaproteomic analyses. In vivo mouse models replicate human physiological responses for host-relevant microbial studies, providing insights into microbial-host interactions and discovering microbial effectors pertinent to disease. Emerging "lab-on-a-chip" microfluidic platforms complement these models by allowing precise control and monitoring microbial communities in high-throughput formats, enhancing our understanding of microbial dynamics Together, these models offer a comprehensive toolkit for assessing microbial effects on host health, advancing our understanding of microbial communities in health and disease.