In it Together

The microbiome and the hosts have co-evolved together, creating a symbiotic relationship between them. However, there have been links created between the microbiome and carcinogenesis (Schwabe, R.F. & Jobin, C. 201). Carcinogenesis is triggered by a specific bacterial pathogens infection (Schwabe, R.F. & Jobin, C. 201). Gastric cancer for example is driven by H. pylori. Gastric cancer occurs in 1-3% of chronically infected individuals (Schwabe, R.F. & Jobin, C. 201). However, the presence of H. pylori, lowers the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (which is cancer of the esophagus)(Schwabe, R.F. & Jobin, C. 201).

Figure 1: Gastric cancer prevents food from entering the duodenum.

Figure 2: Esophageal adenocarcinoma can cause breathing and swallowing issues.

Aswell as infection, the imbalance of the microbiome can lead to carcinogenesis (Schwabe, R.F. & Jobin, C. 201). Liver and pancreatic cancer can be caused by the imbalance of the microbiome in the intestine (Schwabe, R.F. & Jobin, C. 201). An imbalance in the microbiome



Image References:
Figure 1: http://www.gastric-cancer.site40.net/images/sc.jpg by Anonymous retrieved on the 3/05/14
Figure 2: http://dxline.info/img/new_ail/esophageal-cancer_1.jpg by Anonymous, retrieved on the 4/05/14

Journal articles:
Schwabe, R.F. & Jobin, C. 2013, "The microbiome and cancer", Nature reviews, Cancer, vol. 13, no. 11, pp.800.

Mosquito Standards

Mosquitoes, mosquitoes everywhere! Now, my past post mentioned that the female mosquitoe Anopheles gambiae  is attracted to hosts that 'host' a more diverse population of micorbiota on their skin. Skin bacteria are very important components of body odour, without these guys body odour would be odourless to the human nose (so when your friend smells, just blame it on the bacteria).

According to an experiment, the feet are attractive to a female A. gambiae and the 16S rRNA gene (a gene used to identify bacteria) has the signature of the microbiota on the foot (Verhulst. N.O, et al. 2011).It was also stated that washing your feet with bactericidal soap alters the selection of biting sites (Verhulst. N.O, et al. 2011).

The experiment conducted required a group of 48 males free from illness and any regular medication aged 20 -64. 24 hours prior to experimentation they were not to drink alcohol, eat garlic, onions or spicy food or use perfumed cosmetics (Verhulst. N.O, et al. 2011). 24 hours before the experiment volunteer took a shower, without soap and had to wear nylon socks (which were provided by the research team) (Verhulst. N.O, et al. 2011).

The end result showed that 9 of the men were more attractive to female A. gambiae then the rest (Verhulst. N.O, et al. 2011). Staphylococcus spp. (skin bacteria) was determined to be directly correlated to the attractiveness of individuals (Verhulst. N.O, et al. 2011).
So really, if you want to be a mosquitoes best friend.. all you need to do is not shower..and it will not be me testing that theory :)

References:

Verhulst. N.O., Haasnoot, G.W., Mumm, R., Bouwmeeser, H.J., Claas, F.H.J., Dicke, M., van Loon, Joop, J.A, Takken, W., Knight, R., Smallegange, R.C., Qiu, Y.T., Beiileveld, H., Maliepaard, C., Knights, D., Schulz, S., Berg-Lyons, D., Lauber, C.L. &Verduijn, W, 2011, “Composition of human skin microbiota affects attractiveness to malaria mosquitoes”, Plos one, vol. 6, no. 12, pp. E28991.

Are You Worthy to Carry Diseases?

Am I worthy to carry diseases? I'm not sure if I WANT to carry diseases!

Turns out that the mircobiota that resides on human skin can change how tasty you look to an African malaria mosquito (Anophenles gambiae). These mosquitoes use chemical cues to find suitable hosts and a study has found that people with higher microbial diversity are less attractive! It is thought that some of these bacteria mask any chemical cues that may be attractive to the A. gambiae. 

Figure 1: Anophenles gambiae (Anonymous, 30/3/2014)

Picture references:

Figure 1: http://www3.nd.edu/~nbesansk/Publications.html  by Anonymous, retrieved on the 30/03/2014

References: 

Vanessa O. Ezenwa, Nicole M. Gerardo, David W. Inouye, Mónica Medina & Joao B. Xavier 2012, "Animal Behavior and the Microbiome", Science, vol. 338, no. 6104, pp. 198.

Mind-altering Microbes

Surely i cant be the only one who actually finds this extremely fascinating! Of course the fact that we are never 'truly' alone can get a little creepy but just try not to think about it too much. 

This video outlines some of the few interesting things that these microorganisms do!

Video retrieved from TEDx Talks at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWT_BLVOASI on the 21/3/14 

Long Live the Worm!

There are three main types of relationships between hosts and the organisms that reside in them, parasitism, mutualism and commensalism. Mutualism describes the relationship in which both the host and the residing organism benefit from one another. Commensalism describes the relationship where one organism in the relationship benefits while the other neither benefits nor suffers. Parasitism, is the least favorable relationship out of the three and describes a relationship where the organism residing within the host benefits from the relationship while the host loses. Now it is understandable that the thought of trillions of other organisms sharing your bodily space can give you the skeevies. Fact is, being a host can have its advantages, particularly if you are a nematode worm (Caenorhabditis elegans).

Figure 1: nematode worm (Caenorhabditis elegans) 

Turns out that some of the residents in this worm affect its ageing rate. The catch? Just have some small strains of E. coli. in your system, no biggie!  Fortunately for the worm though this bacterium secretes small, short lived free radicals such as nitric oxide (NO). This is a good thing for this worm as the C. Elegans does not posses the enzymes that produce NO. It was noted during a study that without these NO free radicals, the worms lifespan was reduced!  .... Thank you Mr E. coli!

Now don't be getting excited and volunteering for hosting some E. coli. NO is naturally produced in humans, so now the only thing to lengthen your life is some healthy eating and living life to the fullest! If you were interested in reading a more in depth and scientific version of my fairy tale then check out the references below!

References:

-   Heintz, C. & Mair, W. 2014, "You are what you host: microbiome modulation of the aging process", Cell, vol. 156, no. 3, pp. 408-411.

-   Weitzberg, E. & Lundberg, J.O. 1998, "Nonenzymatic nitric oxide production in humans", Nitric Oxide, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1-1

Picture References

Figure 1: http://www.news.wisc.edu/newsphotos/kimble.html by Anonymous, retrieved on the 12/03/14

Imagine yourself in one of those science videos that zoom out so far that the earth’s sun is the size of a pistachio nut compared to some of the other entities that exist. Now, imagine zooming in... all the way in back to earth, zoom right in until you can imagine yourself sitting in a room on your own. No one around you. All alone, or so you think. At this very moment there is a whole microbiome sharing your body space. Still Feeling alone? This community of microorganisms is known to be an active part of our everyday lives (Cryan & Dinan, 2012). However, I’m not sure if it ever occurred to most people that this community of microorganisms could communicate to the central nervous system and have an influence on both behaviour and physiology! If that doesn’t get you thinking, in not sure what will.

So, watch this space in the coming weeks and hear all about the wild and wonderful world that resides within you!

Cryan, J.F. & Dinan T.G. 2012, “Mind-altering microorganisms: the impact of the gut microbiota on brain and behaviour”, Nature reviews. Neuroscience, vol. 13, no. 10, pp. 701 - 712