Mothers Can Pass Traits to Offspring Through Bacteria's DNA
Monday, February 16, 2015 - 14:00
in Biology & Nature
A new study has shown in mice that the DNA of bacteria that live in the body can pass a trait to offspring in a way similar to the parents' own DNA. But now, a new study in mice has shown that the DNA of bacteria that live in the body can pass a trait to offspring in a way similar to the parents' own DNA. According to the authors, the discovery means scientists need to consider a significant new factor -- the DNA of microbes passed from mother to child -- in their efforts to understand how genes influence illness and health.