New estimates of microbial numbers in our bodies

A new finding puts forward a more even ratio of one-to-one for the relationship between human cells in the body and microorganisms. To illustrate this, the researchers took a ‘typical man’ as a reference point. Imagine a man who weighs 70 kilograms, is aged between 20–30 years old and stands 1.7 metres tall. This man, microbiologists Ron Milo, Shai Fuchs and Ron Sender calculate is made up of around 30 trillion human cells and 39 trillion bacteria.

Tim Sandle explores the relationship between microorganisms and human cells in a new article published in Microbioz India. The reference is:

Sandle, T. (2016) New estimates of microbial numbers in our bodies, Microbioz India, Vol. 3, pp9-13

For details see: Microbioz India.

Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle