By analyzing metagenomic sequences found in thousands of human mouth and gut samples, researchers tracked down almost 45.7 million distinct microbial genes.
Researchers identified tumor microbe and immune differences in tumor samples from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients with exceptionally long survival.
Two research groups have cultured and sequenced microbes in fecal samples from healthy volunteers, producing new reference genomes for hundreds of species.
Higher levels of oral bacteria like Tannerella forsythia and Porphyromonas gingivalis increased the risk of esophageal cancer, though other bacteria had protective effects.
In a point-counterpoint in the Boston Globe, researchers discuss the potential of gene editing to prevent Lyme disease, but also the pitfalls of doing so.
