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Press Release: World Microbiome Day – Harnessing the power of microbiomes to improve our health

Harnessing the power of microbiomes to improve our health: Launch of EU-funded MICROBIOMES4SOY

[Brussels, 27th June 2024] – MICROBIOMES4SOY responds to the urgent call on World Microbiome Day to transition to healthier, more environmentally friendly, plant-based diets. The EU-funded Horizon project uses the soyabean crop as model system to deepen microbiome understanding and develop ambitious microbiome-based innovations in the food sector.

 

Why microbiomes?                                                                                                    

Microbiomes, the diverse communities of microorganisms found in all parts of the environment and within our human bodies, are the underappreciated and unrealised pioneers of our food systems. Recognising this potential, MICROBIOMES4SOY dives deep into the mysteries of microbiomes, aiming to apply their full capabilities for positive impacts on people and the planet.

 

What is the scope?                                                                                                                    

This comprehensive strategy spans from production to consumption, underscoring the interconnectedness of our food ecosystem. Embracing this holistic approach, MICROBIOMES4SOY examines the impact of soya as a climate-positive alternative protein source.

 

“We will address soya bean as a kind of model crop to better understand the dynamics and functions of soil and plant-associated microbiomes, but we will also develop microbial applications to improve plant stress resilience and to improve the nutritional quality of soya bean.” Said Angela Sessitsch, project coordinator at the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT).

 

MICROBIOMES4SOY will foster the transition to better planetary health through:

  • Developing microbiome-based knowledge and awareness
  • Creating microbiome-based solutions through more sustainable food production
  • Facilitating healthy soy-enriched diets

 

Embracing the multi-actor approach

MICROBIOMES4SOY is equipping food system actors, including farmers and industry professionals, with essential knowledge and skills about microbiome-based techniques for enhanced agricultural management and improved aqua feeds. Furthermore, dietary trials will assess the impact of substituting animal protein with soya-based tofu on human health and the gut microbiome. Through advanced scientific techniques such as metagenomic sequencing and metabolome analysis, the project aims to discover how including soy-based proteins in diets could be beneficial for both health and sustainability.

 

Underlying the soyabean’s versatility, Viggó Þór Marteinsson, project partner (MATIS) states, “Microbiome-improved soya can improve the gut microbiome of fish to help develop improved feeds for the aquaculture sector.”

 

Collaborative expertise

The MICROBIOMES4SOY project consortium comprises 17 partners from 10 countries, contributing complementary expertise on soil, plant, human and animal microbiomes, bioinformatics, modelling, crop production, aquaculture, food/feed production, food systems mapping and scientific communication.

 

“It is essential to take a holistic food system perspective to co-create transition pathways towards sustainable food systems,” reminds Beatrix Wepner, project partner (AIT). “Especially when it comes to microbiome as it is ubiquitous (and critical for sustainable food systems), influencing soil fertility, plant, animal and human health!”

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ENDS

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Find the press release at AlphaGalileo, here: www.alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-Display/ItemId/247531

 

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Understanding Soya Plant Microbiomes: Enhancing Crop Productivity

MICROBIOMES4SOY aims to explore the dynamics and potential of plant microbiomes, specifically focusing on the soya bean model. The project seeks to understand how plant microbiomes impact soya crop productivity. Additionally, it aims to develop microbiome-informed approaches, including agricultural strategies and prediction models, to improve yield stability, promote environmental sustainability, and ensure food safety and quality during production.

Soya-Based Aquafeeds: Innovating Aquaculture Sustainability

In the realm of aquaculture, MICROBIOMES4SOY seeks to pioneer solutions by creating innovative soya-based aquafeeds. The project aims to evaluate the effects of these novel feeds on the fish gut microbiome and overall health, addressing both environmental and nutritional aspects of aquaculture.

Joint Efforts for Food Systems Transformation

MICROBIOMES4SOY aims to work collaboratively with food system stakeholders to define regional transition pathways towards plant-based protein diets, contributing to broader shifts in dietary practices.

Improved Microbiome-Based Knowledge and Skills for Food System Actors

Knowledge and skill empowerment is a key objective, intending to equip food system actors with expertise on microbiome interactions, benefits, and industrial applications. This will be achieved through a multi-actor approach, that shares understanding of microbiomes within the broader context of food systems.

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.

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