Scientists at San Diego State University have discovered what may be the most common and abundant virus in the human gut. And yet, the tiny critter, called crAssphage (oh yes, there's a story behind that name), has eluded researchers' radar for decades.
The new virus doesn't make us sick, but it may be involved in controlling weight through its effect on Bacteroides. "We suspect this virus is very important in regulating the number of these bacteria [the Bacteroides] in the intestine," says computational biologist Robert Edwards, ISCB Member, who led the study.
URL: http://www.npr.org/blogs/goatsandsoda/2014/07/24/334089538/globe-trotting-virus-hides-in-people-s-gut-bacteria?utm_source=npr_email_a_friend&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20140724&utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_term=
Contact Person: ISCB Executive Office (executive.office@iscb.org)
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