Meet B. fragilis, a bacterium that moves into your gut and evolves to make itself at home

MIT researchers have analyzed population genomics and metagenomics to investigate the microbiome evolution of Bacteroides fragilis, one of the most prevalent bacteria found in humans’ large intestines. In a paper published April 23 in the journal Cell Host & Microbe, the authors describe how the common gut microbe adapts and evolves within individuals as well as across Western versus Eastern cultures.