Do gut microbes shape our evolution?
Thursday, April 21, 2016 - 10:00
in Biology & Nature
Our gut microbes are key to our health, but they may also shape our evolution, according to a new hypothesis. Expanding on the concept of the hologenome -- the host genome together with the genomes of its microbiota -- he argues that the host's microbiota participate in the host's evolution and at times may save a host faced with sudden environmental change by employing rarely used genes to help it adapt and survive.