Human Genetics Shape the Gut Microbiome Our genetic makeup influences whether we are fat or thin by shaping which types of microbes thrive in our body, according to a study published in the journal Cell. By studying pairs of twins, researchers identified the Christensenellaceae bacterial family, which is highly heritable and more common in lean individuals. Moreover, a member of this class of bacteria, Christensenellaceae minuta, protected against weight gain when transplanted into mice. The findings pave the way for personalized probiotic therapies that are optimized to reduce the risk of obesity-related diseases based on an individual’s genetic makeup.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 12:04:25 +0000