Infestation! The incredible images that show what the alien-esque life forms that make up 90% of our bodies actually look like




We are only 10% human the rest is pure microbe, reveals microbiologist

You may think these alien-looking bacteria would be unwelcome guests, but these lifeforms actually make up 90 per cent of the living cells in our bodies.



As these incredible CGI images show, the human body is home to trillions of weird and wonderful lifeforms.

Tube shaped e.coli use their three tails to swim vigorously up and down our guts, while salmonella which are famous for food poisoning scares live happily on our skin with no ill effects to us.

Computer artwork of bacteria (blue and green) on human skin. Many types of bacteria are found on human skin, especially associated with sweat glands and hair follicles. They can sometimes cause acne

A magnified conceptual visualization of multiple coccus bacteria on a cellular surface. It refers to any round-shaped bacteria. Each single coccus bacterium is an entire living organism.

Our relationship with the single-celled friends is so strong that some scientist have come to regard us and our hitchhikers as one human-bacteria super-organism.



Cork Institute of Technology lecturer, Dr Roy D. Sleator, 36, from County Kerry in Ireland, has spent the last four years studying the subject.



'Bacteria have now come to be regarded as a virtual organ with the combined output far in excess of the liver,' said Dr Roy.

'Until recently the true role of our native bacterial populations was largely overlooked. However, new analysis of all the DNA from the environment has revealed the true diversity and utility of our microbial populations.

'Indeed, the human gut alone contains almost four and a half pounds of bacteria.'

Computer artwork of swimming bacteria. e.Coli uses three tails to swim up and down our guts

Computer artwork of chains of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. This sitive oval-shaped bacterium is one of the causes of pneumonia

The fact that we are so outnumbered ten to one by our bacteria guests may sound worrying to many. But Dr Sleator is clear that the bacteria are here for our benefit - and without them we would not survive long.



'We are in essence only ten percent human - the rest is pure microbe,' said Dr Sleator.



'This bacterial-human interaction is for the most part symbiotic. Which means in return for food and board the bacteria help with digestion, vitamin production and bolstering our innate immune system.



'They protect us against infection by pathogens - so called bad bacteria.



'Animals that are bred to have no bacteria are far more susceptible to infection and have a reduced life expectancy compared to wild animals.



'This illustrates the important role of our bacteria.'

Artwork showing the end of a typical ciliated (with hairs) rod-shaped bacterium. Typical rod-shaped bacteria include Escherichia coli and Salmonella bacteria

Typical rod-shaped bacteria are Escherichia coli and Salmonella bacteria, but there are many others. These bacteria have flagella (hair-like structures) at one end, that enable them to move

And it's good news for fans of probiotic yoghurt which are advertised for their ability to cultivate, 'friendly bacteria' in the human body - as long as these drink are consumed regularly for long periods.



'Eating probiotic yogurt can certainly help to bolster your good bacteria,' said Dr Sleator.



'But these bacteria are for the most part transitory - the majority pass through the body and fail to colonise.

'Regular administration needs to be maintained for results to be observed.

'Some physicians are now actively prescribing probiotic drinks to patients following antibiotic treatment to help replenish the good bacteria.'

There are about 500 different species of bacteria in each human body.

