Rawls Mouse Gut (IMAGE) Duke University Caption Duke researchers have discovered that gut microbes can alter the action of their host organism's genes. Mouse intestinal cells are outlined in red, with the cell nuclei stained blue and a protein called transcription factor Hnf4a stained green within the nuclei. Microbes were found to suppress Hnf4a in both mice and fish in a way that could contribute to intestinal diseases. Credit James M. Davison Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.