New discovery: The “Obelisks” in the human microbiome This discovery, made by renowned scientists, introduces a new chapter in understanding the complexity of the human body. A revolutionary discovery has emerged in the field of microbiology and genomics, bringing to light the existence of structures known as “Obelisks” in the human microbiome. This discovery, made by renowned scientists, introduces a new chapter in understanding the complexity of the human body. Obelisks are remarkably virus-like RNA structures found in the oral and intestinal microbiome. They are characterized by circular RNA genomes, rod-shaped secondary structures and the ability to encode specific proteins called ‘Oblins’. The presence of these structures suggests a new class of viroid-like elements, representing a previously unknown facet of human biology. Interestingly, it has been observed that Obelisks tend to infect bacteria, with a significant presence in both oral and intestinal bacteria. This indicates a complex and hitherto unexplored interaction within our own body, potentially influencing both health and disease. Comprehensive research has identified approximately 30,000 different Obelisk variants, revealing an astonishing and yet unexplored biological diversity. This discovery not only challenges the current understanding of microbiology and genomics, but also opens up new possibilities for investigation in several areas of biology. Obelisks have been classified as a distinct phylogenetic group, with no obvious similarities to any biological agents known to date. Its predominance in the metatranscriptomes of the human microbiome and the continuity of its presence, observed for more than 300 days in some cases, emphasizes the importance of better understanding the human microbiome and its interaction with the body. These findings are a milestone in the study of the human microbiome, offering new avenues to explore how our bodies interact with their own set of microorganisms. They represent not only a significant advance in the field of genomics and microbiology, but they also promise to expand our knowledge of human health in previously unimaginable ways. Reference: Ivan N. Zheludev et al. (2024). “Viroid-like colonists of human microbiome”, bioRxiv. doi:10.1101/2024.01.20.576352.
