The Human Virome

There is a popular misconception that most of the genes in our bodies are from bacteria. In fact, the most diverse pool of genes in the human holobiont are virally encoded. Our bodies harbor a hundred times more viruses than human cells. Most of these viruses infect our associated bacteria (phage), particularly in the gut and oral/nasopharyngeal cavity. It also appears that eukaryotic viruses are continuously circulating in our bodies. I will present some of the findings from virome studies of healthy humans, as well as those with diseases like cystic fibrosis.