Another look at bacterial bonds as microbial clusters are race-specific

Nandan Nilekani has competition from an unexpected source

A search of periodontal pockets instead of conventional ones to determine identity may not be very far off, judging from the discovery by an Indian-origin scientist in the US that we are, in effect, identified by the bacterial company we keep — in our mouths.

Of course, the intention of the study was to determine why certain communities were prone to particular oral infections, the revelation that microbial clusters are race-specific — and possibly person-specific — clearly has wider implications.

Apart from dentists turning into forensic scientists, think of the possibilities: could bacteria have preferences when it comes to eating habits or even atmosphere? It is conceivable that some microbes thrive on the taste and smell of curry rather than, say, chilli con carne and, hence, choose their human habitats accordingly.

There is the additional consideration of what would happen if the individual differs from others of a similar race when it comes to eating habits.

Would the bacterial mix be similarly atypical? It could well be that oral bacteria simply look for ethnicity, never mind any vegan fads or mad diets that their hosts may be prone to by nature or nurture.

Then there is the most germane question of all: what happens when two people of different or mixed race — and, therefore, non-homogenous microbial colonies — kiss?