A New Type of Biological Entity Found in Our Bodies

Trillions of microbes, spanning bacteria, viruses, fungi, and more, inhabit our bodies. Recently, Stanford researchers unearthed a fresh category of biological entities within us, dubbing them “Obelisks” with an air of mystery.

The expansive microbiome we harbor continues to reveal its complexity, with ongoing discoveries shaping our understanding of its composition and impact on health. While new bacteria or viruses are occasionally unearthed, it’s rare for scientists to encounter an entirely novel group of entities that defy existing categorization.

A Hybrid Entity Bridging Viruses and Viroids

The Stanford researchers have named them Obelisks due to their rod-like structure, and they represent a fusion of characteristics from viruses and viroids. While viruses are well-known, viroids are simpler RNA molecules capable of self-replication by rearranging their genome but lack protein production and a protective shell. Obelisks share viroids’ fundamental structure but, like viruses, their basic genomes appear to encode previously unidentified proteins termed “obulins.”

Obelisks are surprisingly widespread and diverse. The scientists identified nearly 30,000 distinct varieties of them in microbiome samples from over 400 individuals worldwide. These entities were present in approximately 50% of oral microbiome samples and 7% of gut samples. Their detection had been elusive due to their unique appearance, unlike anything previously known.

“In the paper, the researchers note that Obelisks constitute a unique phylogenetic group, displaying no identifiable sequence or structural resemblance to known biological entities.”

Their role within our bodies remains enigmatic for the time being. They may either benefit or harm their hosts, potentially not humans directly but rather the bacteria or fungi inhabiting our bodies. Currently, the primary contender is the Streptococcus sanguinis bacterium, commonly found in dental plaque. The researchers suggest that this easily cultivatable bacterial species would serve as the optimal initial focus for further investigations into Obelisks.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

Read more: Revealing the Biology of Insulin Production