This application note explores the role of oxygen in gut physiology, microbiome, and microbiota function. It highlights how steep oxygen gradients in the intestine support microbial balance, immune regulation and nutrient metabolism, while dysregulation can contribute to diseases such as inflammatory disorders and colorectal cancer. To study these processes, replicating the gut’s low-oxygen microenvironment in vitro is crucial. Baker’s BugBox Ax and Mx workstations enable reliable anaerobic or microaerophilic culture conditions, ensuring effective microbiome and microbiota research in a compact, user-friendly format.