Three different 'gut types' discovered
Thursday 21st April 2011
Humans have three different types of gut depending on the composition of the microbial community, according to scientists.
Researchers from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Germany found that the composition of the microbial community is not random, but settles into one of three types of ecosystems.
The study, published in journal Nature, also identified microbial genetic markers that are related to traits such as age, gender and body-mass index.
These bacterial genes could be used in the future to assist with the diagnosis of conditions such as colo-rectal cancer, while the guy type information could inform treatment, according to the authors.
Study leader Peer Bork said: "The fact that there are bacterial genes associated with traits like age and weight indicates that there may also be markers for traits like obesity or diseases like colo-rectal cancer, which could have implications for diagnosis and prognosis."
Written by Angela Newbury
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