Human skin hosts a diverse community of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that play roles in protecting against pathogens and maintaining skin health. While past studies have focused on cataloging which microbes are present, a new study suggests that the most abundant species may not be the most active.
Researchers analyzed skin samples from multiple body sites and found that certain low-abundance bacteria showed higher metabolic activity than dominant ones. This challenges the assumption that the most numerous microbes are the primary drivers of skin function. The findings could lead to new approaches for treating skin conditions by targeting active microbes rather than just the most common ones.
The study, published in a peer-reviewed journal, used metatranscriptomic techniques to measure gene expression in the skin microbiome. This method provides a snapshot of which microbes are actively producing proteins and carrying out metabolic processes. The results highlight the importance of looking beyond abundance to understand the functional roles of skin microbes.
Experts say this research could inform the development of probiotics or microbiome-based therapies for skin disorders like eczema and acne. However, they caution that more studies are needed to confirm these findings across different populations and skin types.
