Colonies

This is fascinating, and seems so ordinary at the same rime:  we're screwing up our bacterial balance with soap and cosmetics.

From the NYT

While most microbiome studies have focused on the health implications of what’s found deep in the gut, companies like AOBiome are interested in how we can manipulate the hidden universe of organisms (bacteria, viruses and fungi) teeming throughout our glands, hair follicles and epidermis. They see long-term medical possibilities in the idea of adding skin bacteria instead of vanquishing them with antibacterials — the potential to change how we diagnose and treat serious skin ailments. 

It's a short read. Hopefully the research will lead to treatments for excema, diabetic wounds that won't heal, and a host of other skin problems.