Bacteria causing cancer? Bacteria to Human gene transfers. Controversial but fascinating...

[Cllcanada]

'There are 10 times more bacterial cells in our bodies from the microbiome than human cells.

Viral DNA is known to integrate in the human genome, but the integration of bacterial DNA has not been described.

Using publicly available sequence data from the human genome project, the 1000 Genomes Project, and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we examined bacterial DNA integration into the human somatic genome.

Here we present evidence that bacterial DNA integrates into the human somatic genome through an RNA intermediate, and that such integrations are detected more frequently in (a) tumors than normal samples, (b) RNA than DNA samples, and (c) the mitochondrial genome than the nuclear genome.'

ploscompbiol.org/article/in...

[HAIRBEAR_UK Founder Admin]

very interesting Chris. We are added to by our encounters with pathogens through the eons of time in which we have evolved., I wonder how much of this genetic information is a contributory factor and could indicate a propensity for an individual to develop a cancer or if these contributory combinations are relatively recent (in our own life time for example). Either way as they delve deeper into the possibilities that an ever enlarging picture creates, these possibilities and further puzzles seem limitless? The CLEAR trials that are investigating bacterial role in the development of CLL seem to make a lot more sense after reading your post.

I see a comment was left asking about Phages, Bacteriophages are one of the most common organisms in the biosphere. When reading wikipedia about them I see that:" Phages are widely distributed in locations populated by bacterial hosts, such as soil or the intestines of animals". Could they be an intermediary,, if not how much of their genetic material has also been incorporated into our genome through close contact during our evolution? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacte...

Forever connected to our infections, Yes fascinating..

Nick