Beyond the gut

Mycobiota modulate immunity and behavior The microbiota of the gut has been implicated in the development of a variety of pathologies. Though microbiota research predominantly focuses on bacteria, the mammalian gut is home to a diverse community of fungi, viruses, and archaea ( 1 ). Recent research on the interaction between the host and intestinal fungi—collectively known as the mycobiota—has led to a flurry of exciting discoveries. Next-generation sequencing of the mycobiota has revealed the existence of pronounced changes in the composition of gut fungal communities in a variety of conditions. These changes occur not only in diseases directly affecting the intestine but also in extra-intestinal diseases such as type 1 diabetes and autism spectrum disorders ( 1 ).