The Microbiome - Understanding the Microbes That Live In Humans (E)
It may come as a surprise that our human bodies are home to more microbial cells than our own human cells. Microbes outnumber the human cells, most of these microbes live in the gut or intestine but they inhabit all the exposed parts of the human body from the skin to the mouth and nose. Scientists say this mutual inter dependence of humans and microbes provides a win-win opportunity for both humans and the friendly microbes. Our intestines are home to more than a kilogram by weight of these microbes and this is what is called the microbiome. Scientists at TCS Research part of Tata Consultancy Services have been analysing the microbiomes of diseased and nor mal individuals to try and gather early diagnostic signals and markers of diseases. They have leads on try to pick signals of colorectal cancers, diabetes, pre-term deliveries. The microbiome of a mal-nourished child differs widely with that of a healthy child the studies have found. It may also come as a surprise how come TCS a IT company is working on life sciences but since the analysis involves big data, algorithms and digital analysis using heavy duty computing, this analysis of metagenomics becomes a cosy fit for India’s best known IT services company. The microbes that inhabit the human body and the humans themselves have evolved a win-win situation that hugely benefits both parties.
