How Researchers Study the Microbes in the Human Gut

Researchers are starting to learn a lot more about the huge number of microbes living in our gastrointestinal tract. These organisms can have a significant impact on many aspects of our health, like digestion or immune function. They can even influence how our brains function; there are nerves that directly connect the gut with the brain.

So how are researchers able to study bacterial strains that reside inside of our bodies? This Ted talk with microbiologist Dan Knights discusses both how the microbial community in the gut, the microbiome, influences our bodies, as well as how researchers are able to delve into the many questions surrounding this symbiotic relationship.