“Afshinnekoo et al. describe a city-scale molecular profile of DNA collected from a city’s subway system, public surfaces, and one waterway. These data enable  baseline analysis of bacterial, eukaryotic, and aracheal organisms in the built environment of mass transit and urban life.”

• Almost half of all DNA present on the subway’s surfaces matches no known organism.
• Hundreds of species of bacteria are in the subway, mostly harmless. More riders bring more diversity.
• One station flooded during Hurricane Sandy still resembles a marine environment.
• Human allele frequencies in DNA on surfaces can mirror US Census data.”
• See also – How Bacteria in New York City’s Subways Brought Scientists and Journalists Together