Scientists have called it the second genome, and in fact, the number of genes in the microbes making up one person’s microbiome is 150 times greater than the number in the human genome. All humans are 99.9% similar in terms of their host genome, yet we can be 80-90% different in terms of microbiome.
~3,300,000 genes
~22,000 genes
estimated average number of cells in a human
one person’s number of symbiotic microbial cells
species of microbes found in human intestines
species of microbes living in a human stomach
Each person’s microbiome is also constantly changing and evolving, and it has long been speculated and explored that this balance of microbes has a direct impact on differences between a healthy state and the presence of inflammation or disease, including certain cancers. Further, an estimated 70% of the human immune system is centered on gut microbes and the linkage between gut health and the effectiveness of oncology therapies is being illuminated.
During the last decade, there has been rapid acceleration in scientific understanding of the composition and functions of the gut microbiota. Today, around 400 companies are focused on understanding the human microbiome and its linkage to areas including infectious diseases, neurological diseases, and oncology, with the goal of identifying therapeutic targets.
Arranta Bio is proud to be building a business dedicated to meeting the supply needs of these innovators, having gained knowledge through the development and manufacture of more than 145 strains for live biotherapeutic products (LBPs).
12 examples of conditions
in which problematic gut
bacteria may play a role:
