- Researchers studied how yeast behaves in the gut of animals.
- They want to help the yeast deliver useful drugs inside the body.
- The yeast used is a probiotic that people already take.
- Scientists used a common probiotic yeast strain that was not changed.
- They put the yeast into germ-free mice with no other microbes.
- The team collected feces and pieces of the intestine for tests.
- They found DNA regions in the yeast that act like switches.
- The yeast did not show genes for harmful behavior in the gut.
Difficult words
- researcher — person who studies science and does experimentsResearchers
- yeast — a small living organism used in food and medicine
- probiotic — a live bacteria or yeast that helps the gut
- strain — a type or variety of a microorganism
- germ-free — without any other microbes or germs present
- feces — solid waste from the intestines
- gene — part of DNA that gives instructions for traitsgenes
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever taken a probiotic?
- Have you ever seen a mouse in real life?
- Would you try a medicine made by yeast?
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