A team of researchers has made an exciting discovery as it observed that human cells have a robust defense mechanism against microbes. It is well-known that bacteria which enter the human body will release toxins that can create holes in the external layer of cells.
This damage can be mitigated by the cell as they convert their membrane fat into a liquid form that allows them to patch the holes, preventing extensive damages or even death in the long run. It appears that a molecule classified as TMEM16F can perform the task.
Microbes are an essential part of our body, and previous research has shown that they outnumber normal cells by ten to one. For example, more than 10 trillion microbes can be encountered in the gastrointestinal tract, with more than 1,000 species being present. These microbes offer benefits since they prevent harmful organisms from colonizing the human body and leading to the appearance of diseases.
Damaged Human Cells Can Repair Themselves
Other advantages that by microbes are the generation of vitamins via synthesis, the conversion of food into usable nutrients and boosts for the immune system. An exciting fact stems from the fact that while some microbes are lethal, many seek to establish themselves as stable residents of the human body.
This goal can be achieved with the help of a remarkable multiplication ability as a new generation of microbes, is ready in less than half an hour, and the pace is even faster in the case of viruses due to their flexible adaptation trait.
Microbes can alter themselves to avoid suspicion from the immune system, an advantage that is exploited by many viruses that seek to reach as many potential targets as possible by evolving viral forms. Researchers believe that they could develop new drugs that encourage the patching process, increasing the chance to avoid severe infections that can lead to severe consequences.