A genome-wide association study has revealed how a person’s unique genetic makeup can influence the fungi in their intestinal tract and the impact this interaction can have their risk of chronic diseases.

The research, in PLOS Biology , is the first of its kind to examine how human genetics underpins the gut mycobiome.

It highlights a previously unknown triangulation between human genetics, gut fungi, and chronic disease.

“Gut fungi are greatly understudied compared to other gut microbes like bacteria and archaea,” said researcher Emily Davenport, PhD, from Penn State University.

“We know much less about what determines the fungi that reside in the gut, and whether they are important for human health.

“These results demonstrate for the first time that host genetics can influence t

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