New research shows that the trillions of bacteria in our gut constantly “sense” their surroundings to survive and thrive, according to a February 08 2026 Science Daily report.
Beneficial gut microbes, especially common Clostridia bacteria, can detect a surprisingly wide range of chemical signals produced during digestion, guiding them toward the best food sources.
Researcher Victor Sourjik led a group that included scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, the University of Ohio and the Philipps-University Marburg.
Human gut microbiome receptors recognize a broad range of metabolic compounds such as from carbohydrates, fats, proteins, DNA, and amines. The research team found that different types of bacterial sensors showed distinct preferences for certain classes of chemicals. These include nutrients especially valuable for growth such as lactic acid (lactate) and formic acid (formate).
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208011017.htm#google_vignette
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