New life form discovered in human digestive system

Biologist Ivan Zheludev and his team from Stanford University have discovered a previously unknown virus-like life form in the human digestive system. Zheludev stated that the discovered life form does not show structural similarity to previously known biological forms.

According to a report by Independent Türkçe, this new life form could be an entirely new species and has the potential to explain the gap between the simplest genetic molecules and complex viruses. This biological structure was named "obelisk" because it has a highly symmetrical and rod-like appearance consisting of twisted RNA strands.

Within the scope of the research, which has not yet received scientific peer review, Zheludev and his team examined 5.4 million genetic sequences. As a result of the examination, 30 thousand different obelisks were identified, and it was determined that these structures were present in 10 percent of the human microbiomes studied.

While the research revealed that obelisks were found in the oral samples of 50 percent of patients, it was also determined that these structures are present in different parts of the body. Zheludev and his team stated that they do not know whether obelisks are found in other living organisms, but they assume that at least one type could be found in bacteria.

News Source: 12punto