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New Exhibit Explores the Trillions of Microbes Living Inside the Human Body

By Emily Frost | November 4, 2015 3:59pm
 Microbes are invisible to the human eye, but there are more of them within us than stars in the Milky Way, scientists said. 
Microbe Exhibit Showcases Secret World Inside Our Bodies
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UPPER WEST SIDE — A new exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History opening Saturday sheds light on "The Secret World Inside You" — the trillions of microscopic organisms living in our bodies. 

As New Yorkers enter cold season, the presence of hand sanitizer and anti-germ messaging are becoming ubiquitous. And while viruses and germs are the "bad guys" of the microbe world, "the vast majority [of microbes] are good guys," explained Rob DeSalle, a scientist and co-curator of the exhibition.  

Through games, an interactive quiz show, videos and art installations, visitors can learn how microbes are essential to our survival and that we're actually more microbe than human, as microbial genes outnumber human genes by more than 100 to 1.

Instead of viewing ourselves as an individual species acting alone, we should think of ourselves as part of an ecosystem of hundreds of microbial species, the exhibit explains. 

The interest in studying microbes stems in part from scientific breakthroughs in DNA sequencing over the past five years that have made it possible to cheaply and quickly analyze hundreds of microbes at once, said co-curator Susan Perkins.

"It's completely exploded our ability to understand a full community [of microbes]," she said. 

The capacity to understand the genetic makeup of microbes is changing the way scientists and doctors view the human body and approach cures for diseases and health issues like depression, autism and obesity, DeSalle said. 

Some studies have shown a correlation between having autism and an abnormal gut microbiome.

Scientists now think of the human gut, where the majority of our microbes live, as a kind of "second brain" because of its connection to our moods and decision-making.

Eighty percent of serotonin, the chemical that produces feelings of happiness, is produced in our gut, an infographic at the exhibit states.

Our overzealousness in using anti-bacterial cleaners, undergoing C-sections and taking powerful antibiotics — all of which eliminate microbes — could be having a negative effect on our health, the exhibit points out. 

Having a diverse microbiome, which can stem from eating a balanced diet, promotes overall good health, according to the exhibit. 

The museum has even gone so far as to create its own card game to make this point. "Gutsy" is a "game about the microbes that make you...you!" and visitors can play it while inside the exhibit or buy their own deck at the gift shop.

"The Secret World Inside You" runs from Nov. 7 through Aug. 14. 

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