An international team of scientists, including four researchers from The Ohio State University, highlighted microbes' vital role in achieving a sustainable future in a new article published in Cell.

The study emphasizes that microbes—such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other single-cell organisms—are essential for the survival of all life forms on Earth. Yet, their importance is underrepresented in global initiatives like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The team, led by Laura van Galen and Thomas Crowther of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and Rino Rappuoli of the Fondazione Biotecnopolo di Siena in Italy, advocates for the inclusion of microbial research in addressing these global goals. The U.N.'s 17 SDGs target issues like poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental protection, yet microbes—despite their role in fundamental processes like oxygen production and nutrient recycling—are scarcely mentioned in international policy efforts.

The Ohio State researchers contributing to this work are all deeply involved in cutting-edge microbiome science. They argue that advancements in microbial research can address key areas of the SDGs, such as health, food production, clean energy, and bioremediation.

Justin North, assistant professor of microbiology, leads Ohio State's efforts in the Department of Energy's Energy Earthshots Initiative, focused on reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Devin Peterson, professor of food science and technology, directs the Foods for Health research initiative, which explores how food and nutrition impact human health.

Byrd Center Principal Investigators include Matthew Sullivan, professor of microbiology and civil, environmental, and geodetic engineering and director of the Center of Microbiome Science, and Virginia Rich, associate professor of microbiology, co-directs the EMERGE Biology Integration Institute

Learn more by visiting Ohio State News or read the article in Cell.