Missing Microbes

Book summary

Dr. Martin Blaser is professor of microbiology and Director of the NYU Human Microbiome Program. His work focuses primarily on bacteria, such as Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter and Salmonella Bacillus anthracis. More recently, his research has focused on the human micro

If we imagine evolution as a 24-hour clock, microbes appear at the start, while humans emerge mere seconds before midnight. Microbes, essential to life on Earth, dominated for nearly three billion years, driving the processes that created the biosphere. Today, they remain everywhere, outnumbering and outweighing all other life forms combined, enabling us to eat, breathe, and survive. Yet, their dual nature means they can also cause diseases. Early human populations, scattered in small tribes, limited the spread of pathogens, but the rise of cities created conditions for epidemics like the Black Death. Modern antibiotics, pioneered by Alexander Fleming, revolutionized medicine, saving countless lives. However, their overuse—especially in livestock—has led to antibiotic resistance and disrupted human microbiomes, with serious health consequences. Maintaining a diverse microbiome is crucial, as its balance supports immunity, much like ecosystems depend on key species. Responsible antibiotic use and exploring prebiotics and probiotics may hold the key to preserving health in the future.

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