Microbiomes and holobiomes as drivers of a sustainable circular bioeconomy
Microorganisms, which include archaea, bacteria, fungi and viruses, along with their genetic material and interactions within a particular environment, form a microbiome. All the plants and animals on Earth are associated with microbiomes. Therefore, understanding what microbiomes do, what they are and how they interact can reveal how best to manage our planet’s resources to obtain our food and improve our health. Microbial communities in natural environments play a key role within the environment and food systems by driving nitrogen cycling, pathogen suppression and climate regulation. Soil microbiomes facilitate carbon sequestration and soil fertility, while ocean microbiomes contribute to carbon capture and climate regulation. Preserving natural microbiomes and microbial biodiversity from anthropogenic pressures from industrial agriculture, extensive herbicide use, antibiotic overreliance and climate change is essential for ensuring sustainable and high-quality food. Working with microbes rather than against them makes economic and environmental sense. By applying the emerging science of holobiomes – integrated systems of hosts and their associated microbiomes across soil, plants, animals, humans and the environment – microorganisms can offer transformative solutions to major sustainability challenges.
Resilient, resource-efficient and climate-smart systems
This CORDIS Results Pack focuses on the role of microbiome-based innovations in creating resilient, resource-efficient and climate-smart systems across agriculture, aquaculture, forestry and bio-based production to advance Europe’s bioeconomy. Furthermore, the utilisation of microbiomes via the bioeconomy will help to modernise and strengthen the EU’s industrial base while supporting the transition to a circular and low-carbon economy. By drawing on a range of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe-funded projects, this Pack highlights how understanding and engineering microbiomes contribute to the EU’s bioeconomy. Benefits include enhancing food quality, soil and ecosystem health, reducing synthetic inputs, improving animal welfare and transforming waste streams into high-value bio-based products across various sectors. The 12 selected projects feature microbiome and holobiome-centred research. This work aids the EU’s transition to a competitive circular bioeconomy, while supporting the key objectives of the European Green Deal(opens in new window), the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food(opens in new window) and the Bioeconomy strategy(opens in new window). In addition, this Pack aims to raise visibility and encourage public engagement with microbiome-driven solutions to foster greater citizen awareness and create demand for sustainable innovations. In doing so, it also responds to wider EU ambitions under the Start-up and scale-up strategy(opens in new window) and the European life sciences strategy(opens in new window) by reinforcing the established environment for microbiome-related innovations to be translated into commercial applications. Furthermore, project results will help guide future policymaking, stimulating investment in microbial biotechnology and encouraging the emergence of competitive start-ups and scale-ups that contribute to Europe’s green and digital transitions. The MICRO4BIOGAS project enhanced biogas production by optimising the microorganisms involved in anaerobic digestion. CIRCLES investigated microbiomes in enhancing food productivity, quality, safety and sustainability. MASTER developed a new protocol and DNA extraction kit to strengthen food systems. 3D-omics and HoloRuminant researched the gut microbiome of livestock to maximise performance and reduce environmental impacts. SMART PROTEIN, SoildiverAgro and EcoStack increased knowledge of soil-based ecosystems to improve sustainability and crop production. By increasing knowledge of soil biodiversity, EXCALIBUR improved biocontrol and biofertilisation in horticulture. Meanwhile, HoliSoils studied forest soil microbiomes to support climate-smart land management and carbon sequestration. AtlantECO investigated the impacts of environmental change on the oceanic microbiome. Finally, RUSTICA converted organic residues from fruits and vegetables into a bio-based fertiliser.
