The appendix as a bacterial refuge

What does the appendix actually do for us? One idea gaining traction is that it serves as a refuge for beneficial bacteria. The idea is that, if something upsets the colonic applecart and disturbs the normal spectrum of microbes that live there and help to keep us healthy, the appendix works a bit like a biobank and can re-colonise the colon after the storm has passed with the right cross-section of microflora. That’s possibly why, living in the cleaner, modern world that we do, that we can get away without a working appendix. William Parker is based at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and has been looking at the role the appendix plays for many years…