Researchers are revealing the complexity of the microbial community living on the body—and paving the way for new bacteria-targeting treatments for acne and other dermatological conditions.

Swabbing infants born by Cesarean-section with a gauze harboring their mother’s vaginal fluids made their skin and gut microbiota more closely resemble that of vaginally born babies.

High salt concentrations are present in the affected skin of people with atopic dermatitis and promote the differentiation of the T helper cells involved in the development of allergic diseases.

A molecule produced by a strain of Staphylococcus epidermis interferes with DNA synthesis.

Hundreds of samples from microbes living in the gut, skin, mouth, and vagina add to the human microbiome “fingerprint.” 

Problematic dietary advice; the man whose cells were fixed with CRISPR; treating toads

Wearing antiperspirant can substantially alter a person’s armpit microbiome, scientists show.

The immune system tolerates the colonization of commensal bacteria on the skin with the aid of regulatory T cells during the first few weeks of life, a mouse study shows.

Commensal skin bacteria adjusted their community structure when frogs were exposed to chytrid fungus in a recent study.

In a small study, researchers find a link between an individual’s skin microbiome and the ability to clear a bacterial infection. 

Cell phones are populated with many bacteria commonly found on users’ hands. 

Early Neanderthal evolution; developing antivirals to combat polio; the mouth and skin microbiomes; insect-inspired, flight-stabilizing sensors

Human skin, the barrier between the body and the outside world, is home to diverse microorganisms, some of which can promote immunity or fight invaders.

Like commensal gut organisms, skin microbiota appear to help the mammalian immune system mature and stay regulated.