Pubblicazione scientifica

The Thanatomicrobiome: A Missing Piece of the Microbial Puzzle of Death

FILONE TECNOLOGICO	TEMA
produzione e raccolta

RIASSUNTO

Death is a universal phenomenon; however, is there “life after death?” This topic has been investigated for centuries but still there are gray areas that have yet to be elucidated. Forensic microbiologists are developing new applications to investigate the dynamic and coordinated changes in microbial activity that occur when a human host dies. There is currently a paucity of explorations of the thanatomicrobiome (thanatos-, Greek for death) and epinecrotic communities (microbial communities residing in and/or moving on the surface of decomposing remains). Ongoing studies can help clarify the structure and function of these postmortem microbiomes. Human microbiome studies have revealed that 75–90% of cells in the body prior to death are microbial. Upon death, putrefaction occurs and is a complicated process encompassing chemical degradation and autolysis of cells. Decomposition also involves the release of contents of the intestines due to enzymes under the effects of abiotic and biotic factors. These factors likely have predictable effects on postmortem microbial communities and can be leveraged for forensic studies. This mini review provides a critical examination of emerging research relating to thanatomicrobiome and epinecrotic communities, how each is studied, and possible strategies of stochastic processes.

DATA

Data di pubblicazione: 24/02/2016

AUTORI

JAVAN GULNAZ T
FINLEY SHEREE J
ABIDIN ZAIN
MULLE JENNIFER G

ENTE DI AFFERENZA

FORENSIC SCIENCE PROGRAM PHYSICAL SCIENCES DEPT ALABAMA STATE UNIV MONTGOMERY AL USA
PH D PROGRAM IN MICROBIOLOGY DEPT BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES ALABAMA STATE UNIV MONTGOMERY AL USA
DEPT EPIDEMIOLOGY ROLLINS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMORY UNIV ATLANTA GA USA
DEPT HUMAN GENETICS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE EMORY UNIV ATLANTA GA USA

RIVISTA

Frontiers in Microbiology, 7, 225

IMPACT FACTOR

4,190

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