Microbiome
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Revision as of 21:41, 20 July 2012 by Christoph (Talk | contribs) (New page: A microbiome is the totality of microbes, their genetic elements (genomes), and environmental interactions in a particular environment. The term "microbiome" was coined by Joshua Lederberg...)
A microbiome is the totality of microbes, their genetic elements (genomes), and environmental interactions in a particular environment. The term "microbiome" was coined by Joshua Lederberg, who argued that microorganisms inhabiting the human body should be included as part of the human genome, because of their influence on human physiology. The human body contains over 10 times more microbial cells than human cells.[1][2][3]
Microbiomes are being characterized in many other environments as well, including soil, seawater and freshwater systems.
See also
Concepts
- wikipedia:Directed graph
- flux balance analysis (FBA)
Keywords
systems biology; metabolic models; human microbiome; metagenomics; reverse ecology; ecosystomics
References
- ↑ Zimmer, Carl (13 July 2010). "How Microbes Defend and Define Us". New York Times.
- ↑ Because bacteria are 10-100 times smaller than human cells, the entire microbiome weighs about 200 grams.
- ↑ Coyle WJ. "The Human Microbiome: The Undiscovered Country".
