ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

   - Bacterial cells in the body outnumber human cells by a factor of 10 to
   1. Yet only recently have researchers begun to elucidate the beneficial
   roles these microbes play in fostering health.
   - Some of these bacteria possess genes that encode for beneficial
   compounds that the body cannot make on its own. Other bacteria seem to
   train the body not to overreact to outside threats.
   - Advances in computing and gene sequencing are allowing investigators
   to create a detailed catalogue of all the bacterial genes that make up this
   so-called microbiome.
   - Unfortunately, the inadvertent destruction of beneficial microbes by
   the use of antibiotics, among other things,  may be leading to an increase
   in autoimmune diseases.

Microbial organisms are said to be the most influential organisms on Earth
(land and oceans) and research is suggesting they maybe in our bodies as
well.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=ultimate-social-network-bacteria-protects-health&WT.mc_id=SA_WR_20120523

Martin

-- 
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Martin Weiss, PhD
Senior Scientist
New York Hall of Science
mweiss at nyscience.org
cell   347-460-1858
desk 718 595 9156

-- 
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
 
This message is intended solely for the addressee(s) in the first instance 
and may contain confidential information.  Please do not forward this email 
without the consent of the sender.

***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]