Technological advances allow scientists to delve deeper and deeper into the genetic material they find in a variety of environments, including that of the microbial life in our gut. A recent American study now describes a completely new class of virus-like organisms, which the researchers call ‘obelisks’, and which had previously escaped our attention. “The possible effect on our health is still one big question mark,” says Professor Jelle Matthijnssens of KU Leuven.
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Neither bacteria nor virus: what are ‘obelisks’ that scientists have discovered in our intestines?
