Here, via longitudinal metagenomic analysis of 676 fecal samples from 338 individuals in the Lifelines-DEEP study, the authors identify ongoing gene-sharing among human gut bacteria that supports community stability and spreads helpful functions. These gene-sharing signatures are highly personal, illuminating how host lifestyle shapes gut microbes over time.
- Haoran Peng
- Sergio Andreu-Sanchez
- Jingyuan Fu
