
As a species, we have a love-hate relationship with microbes. For centuries, we didn’t even know they existed. Then came the microscope and Louis Pasteur’s germ theory, and suddenly we could see that microorganisms were the cause of deathly diseases like bubonic plague, smallpox, and tuberculosis. The knowledge launched a war against microbes, resulting in new ways to treat and prevent infections that have doubled our lifespans.
But it wasn’t until recently that we realized that there are some microorganisms we can’t live without. Our bodies carry more than 100 trillion bacteria on our skin and in our mouths, noses, genitalia, and guts. These bacterial communities, collectively known as the human microbiome, can synthesize vitamins, bolster our immune systems, help us digest our food, and even boost our brain function.
Today, researchers at the Mayo Clinic’s Microbiome Program are using genetic sequencing and other technologies to become better acquainted with our bacteria and ourselves. Thus far, they have discovered the human microbiome does much more for us — both good and bad — than we ever imagined. Read the rest of the article on the Discovery's Edge blog.
__________________________
Find more research news on Discovery's Edge.
Mayo Clinic seeks to harness the power of cells, tissue and genes by delivering first-of-their kind therapeutics for patients in early-stage clinical trials. Mayo Clinic's Center ...
The holiday season can invite unwelcome guests into your life, such as loneliness, money problems, family demands and unrealistic expectations. The stress and anxiety that ...
National Handwashing Awareness Week will be observed Dec. 3–9, so this is a good time for a reminder that washing your hands is one of the ...