6th Plant Microbiome Symposium 2025

Researchers from Utrecht University recently participated in the 6th Plant Microbiome Symposium, held in Antequera, Spain. This international event brought together experts in plant-microbe interactions, microbial ecology, and sustainable agriculture, with a strong focus on supporting early-career researchers.

Maria Papadopoulou, a PhD student in the project, presented her poster titled “Harnessing microbiomes from 100 soils to enhance soybean growth”, showcasing innovative strategies from MICROBIOMES4SOY to improve crop performance through soil microbiome research.

Corné Pieterse gave a talk outlining the preliminary results and future directions of the project’s work on 100 European soybean soils, highlighting the potential of microbiome-based approaches to support resilient and productive soybean cultivation across Europe.

The symposium provided a valuable platform for sharing insights, building collaborations, and advancing the scientific dialogue around plant microbiomes.

Microbiome-Informed Dietary Recommendations:
Exploring Human Health Impacts

Moreover, human health is a central theme, with a dedicated objective to investigate the impact of soya-derived protein diets on the human gut microbiome. The project aims to provide microbiome-informed dietary recommendations, contributing valuable insights to the intersection of nutrition and microbiology.