Thanks to the massive analysis of genomic data, an international group of researchers confirmed the findings of a type of RNA that does not belong to virus is a bacteria but that lives within the human microbiome.
In turn, this discovery led by Andrew FireNobel laureate and professor at Stanford University raises new questions about the life forms and biological systems that coexist with us.
The scientists detected circular RNA fragments that did not fit into any known category. They were not viruses, they were not bacteria and they did not coincide with other genetic elements. previously described.
To this new type of ARN The researchers called it “obelisks”, in reference to its elongated shape and its enigmatic character.
The discovery was published in 2025 after verifying that These sequences appear recurrently in different people and in different parts of the world, suggesting that it is not an isolated anomaly, but a common component of the human microbiome.
The most striking thing is that these RNA obelisks seem to have the ability to replicate themselves, a characteristic that brings them closer to viruses, but without sharing their structure or mode of operation.
This ambiguity is what led scientists to consider that they are dealing with a completely new biological entity.
What are RNA «obelisks» and why do they matter for science?
The discovery of these obelisks forces us to rethink how microscopic life is classified. Until now, viruses were considered the main carriers of autonomous RNA. However, these new elements do not fit that definition.
The researchers explained that the obelisks are made up solely of RNA, without a protein capsid like that of viruses.
Even so, they have sufficient genetic instructions to copy themselves within certain bacteria of the microbiome, which makes them active actors within that internal ecosystem.
This discovery is relevant because the human microbiome fulfills key functions in digestionthe immune system and protection against diseases.
Understanding what role this newly identified RNA plays could help explain biological processes that until now had no clear cause.
What is the impact of this RNA on the human organism?
For specialists, this finding shows that knowledge about the microscopic world is still far from complete. For decades, science assumed that most genetic entities had already been identified. However, the appearance of this unknown RNA indicates that there are intermediate forms between what we consider life and non-life.
Furthermore, the discovery It was possible thanks to the use of artificial intelligence and advanced genetic analysis tools, suggesting that there could be many more similar elements waiting to be detected in existing databases.
Scientists are also investigating whether this RNA has any direct impact on human health. For now, there is no evidence that it causes diseases, but it is not ruled out that it subtly influences the balance of the microbiome or the body’s response to certain stimuli.
