A groundbreaking gathering of international experts at the 2nd International Conference on Microbiomes, Biodiversity and Their Impact on Global and One Health highlights the transformative potential of microbiome science in addressing the world's most urgent environmental and health challenges.
The event, hosted by 黑料网吃瓜爆料Health鈥檚 Microbiomes Institute, Institut M茅rieux and the Global Virus Network (GVN), was held in February at the 黑料网吃瓜爆料.
鈥淭his international conference emphasizes the need for a truly interdisciplinary approach to humanity's enormous challenge regarding biodiversity, food and nutrition,鈥� said Christian Br茅chot, MD, PhD, director of the 黑料网吃瓜爆料Health Microbiomes Institute and senior associate dean for research in global affairs in the 黑料网吃瓜爆料Health Morsani College of Medicine. The 黑料网吃瓜爆料Health Microbiomes Institute is fully committed to contributing to identifying solutions to this major global threat."
Dr. Br茅chot also is vice chair of the board of directors and president emeritus of the GVN.
The innovative event, with participants from the U.S., France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland, was built upon the success of the first conference held in Annecy, France, in October 2023, bringing together an impressive lineup of experts from diverse fields, including soil, ocean and medical microbiology, molecular biology, agri-food sustainable practices, and global health.
鈥淲e are pleased to have co-hosted this important international conference,鈥� said Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of 黑料网吃瓜爆料Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. 鈥淭his arena lends itself to studies that cross the boundaries of scientific disciplines, which makes this kind of collaboration and conversation even more important. This is an especially exciting time for researchers who study microbiomes, and international collaboration and dialogue will help accelerate the already rapid drumbeat of new developments in this field.鈥�
The conference served as a crucial platform for cross-disciplinary dialogue, where leaders from intergovernmental organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, as well as academia, industry and the private sector, came together to address pressing global challenges related to microbiomes and biodiversity.
鈥淭his conference, which brought together a community of recognized experts from different sectors including oceans, agri-food and biomedical, represents a unique opportunity to implement concrete, transdisciplinary projects centered on the analysis and utilization of microbiomes, with a major impact on the development of sustainable aquaculture and agricultural practices and the health of our ecosystems,鈥� said Marc Bonneville, DVM, PhD, vice president for medical and scientific affairs at the Institut M茅rieux.
Fostering a Holistic Approach to Global Health
The conference focused on the critical intersection between microbiomes, ecosystems and human health, emphasizing the importance of integrated solutions to global issues such as soil degradation, food insecurity, viral pandemics, and the accelerating climate crisis. One of the central themes was the potential of microbiome research to foster innovative solutions for regenerative agriculture, sustainable aquaculture and more effective public health strategies. Nutrition, microbial ecology and health experts explored how a deeper understanding of microbiomes could inform eco-responsible agricultural practices and therapeutic approaches.
Key Initiatives and Collaborative Working Groups
Five dynamic working groups tackled some of the most urgent issues facing our global community, forging meaningful collaborations that are expected to catalyze impactful research and policies:
- Ecosystems (BerryBiome Connections)
This group proposed field experiments on a blueberry farm to study microbiome connectivity across soil, plants and humans. The group also explored regenerative versus conventional agricultural models, assessing their impact on human health. - AI Characterization
This working group focused on developing an AI-powered assistant for microbiome research. Their tool aims to streamline experiment design, sampling, data collection and analysis while ensuring standardization and reproducibility in microbiome research. - Degradation (Living Farms)
This group is tackling soil degradation caused by chemicals, pesticides and microplastics. Their efforts include using nature-based solutions like microbial inoculants and phytoremediation to restore soil health, alongside field trials and microbial diversity monitoring. - Education (Field & Virtual Lessons in Microbiome Sciences)
The Education working group focused on public engagement and education. Through hands-on farm activities, mentorship programs for K-12 students and hybrid online education models, the group is bringing microbiome science to broader audiences. - Advocacy (Microbiome in One Health policy)
This group emphasized the importance of policy and advocacy in integrating microbiomes into One Health frameworks. They drafted policy briefs, white papers and a vision for the potential of One Health probiotics, which will be published in April.
The Role of Microbiomes in One Health Solutions
The conference underscored the urgency of integrating microbiome-based approaches within a One Health framework, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. As microbiomes are integral to all these systems, advancing their understanding is vital to building resilient, sustainable and healthy ecosystems.
Working groups and sessions were designed to foster collaboration across disciplines to address critical issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and emerging infectious diseases, emphasizing alignment with the United Nations鈥� Sustainable Development Goals.
Looking to the Future
The event served not only as an opportunity for knowledge exchange but also as a springboard for future projects and action plans to address the most urgent global health and environmental challenges. The collaborations initiated during the conference will help catalyze groundbreaking research and policy shifts that will contribute to long-term, sustainable solutions.
"The 黑料网吃瓜爆料 is committed to being a driver of innovation and helping solve complex challenges facing our society," said 黑料网吃瓜爆料President Rhea Law. 鈥淲e are proud to host this international conference that brings together the expertise of academia, industry and policymakers who play an essential role in developing lasting solutions that benefit the health of our planet and our communities."
The conference demonstrated that through a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach, microbiomes can be harnessed as a key tool in driving One Health solutions and promoting our planet's and its inhabitants' health.
鈥淎s an institution deeply committed to advancing knowledge and solutions for global challenges, 黑料网吃瓜爆料was honored to provide the backdrop for meaningful dialogue around microbiomes, biodiversity, and health at the 2nd International Conference on Microbiomes, Biodiversity, and Their Impact on Global and One Health,鈥� said Prasant Mohapatra, PhD, 黑料网吃瓜爆料provost and executive vice president. 鈥淭he transdisciplinary groundwork established at the conference will inspire new ideas, strengthen partnerships and ignite a shared vision for global health, and I look forward to seeing its impact unfold.鈥�
About the Organizers:
: An initiative to integrate interdisciplinary researchers focusing on microbiomes
studies across soil, water, plants, animals, food and human health.
: A global player in microbiology diagnostics and food safety dedicated to improving
public health through scientific research and innovation.
: A worldwide coalition of virology experts dedicated to enhancing pandemic preparedness
through research, diagnostics, treatments, vaccines and education, ensuring a swift
and equitable global response to future viral threats.