The USF Microbiomes Institute is an initiative to merge and integrate interdisciplinary researchers and departments from the University of South Florida (USF), USF Health, and Moffitt Cancer Center, with a special working focus on microbiomes studies in soil, water, plant, animals, food and human health.

The Institute intends to join different departments and colleges, from engineering to business, and create opportunities for transdisciplinary projects with new approaches for microbiomes studies. We are composed of several working groups such as Education and Training, Data Analysis, Infrastructures, Core Facilities, and Scientific programs, we integrate academics with industry, promoting partnerships with colleges and departments to share experiences and enhance the research and knowledge in the microbiome field.

“Investigating microbiomes truly offers a revolutionary approach to human and animal medicine. In addition, understanding the impact of environmental changes on soil and oceans microbiomes is key to food safety, security and sovereignty. The USF Microbiomes Institute aims to provide solutions and is based on a holistic and transdisciplinary approach to these challenges, combining education to basic and applied research, as well as on site activities with urban farms.”

Christian Brechot, Founder and co-director of the USF Microbiomes Institute

Tampa, Florida – March 4, 2025 – 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 USF Health’s Microbiomes Institute, Institut Mérieux, and the Global Virus Network (GVN), was held February 3-5, 2025, at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa. 

"This international conference emphasizes the need for a truly interdisciplinary approach to humanity's enormous challenge regarding biodiversity, food, and nutrition. The USF Health Microbiomes Institute is fully committed to contributing to identifying solutions to this major global threat."

Dr. Christian Bréchot, director of the USF Health Microbiomes Institute and senior associate dean for research in global affairs in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as well as vice chair of the board of directors and president emeritus of the Global Virus Network (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. 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.

“This 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.”

Dr. Marc Bonneville, vice president for medical and scientific affairs, Institut Mérieux.

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.

“We are pleased to have co-hosted this important international conference. This 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.”

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

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:

1. Ecosystems (BerryBiome Connections) Led by experts such as Dr. Jennifer Martiny, University of California Irvine (UCI) and Dr. Fanette Fontaine, FAO, 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.
2. AI Characterization Under the leadership of Dr. Estelle Couradeau, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Dr. Walter Sanseverino, Sequentia Biotech, and Dr. Liping Zhao, Rutgers University, 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.
3. Degradation (Living Farms) Led by Dr. Gabrielle Berg, Graz University of Technology, and Dr. Emmanuel Roux, 15th Street Farm, 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.
4. Education (Field & Virtual Lessons in Microbiome Sciences) Facilitated by Dr. Hassina Ait-Abderrahim, Lesaffre, Dr. Ojas Natarajan (USF), and others, 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.
5. Advocacy (Microbiome in One Health policy) Spearheaded by experts including Dr. Estelle Couradeau, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Dr. Gabriele Berg, Graz University of Technology, Dr. Jennifer Martiny, UCI, Dr. Chris Bowler, Institut de Biologie de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, and Drs. Fanette Fontaine and Karel Callens, FAO, 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 University of South Florida is committed to being a driver of innovation and helping solve complex challenges facing our society. We 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"

Rhea Law, USF President.

"As an institution deeply committed to advancing knowledge and solutions for global challenges, USF 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. The 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." 

Dr. Prasant Mohapatra, USF Provost and Executive Vice President

 

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’ 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 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.

About the Organizers

• USF Health Microbiomes Institute: An initiative to integrate interdisciplinary researchers focusing on microbiomes studies across soil, water, plants, animals, food, and human health.
• Institut Mérieux: A global player in microbiology diagnostics and food safety dedicated to improving public health through scientific research and innovation.
• Global Virus Network: 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.

For more information on the conference and future initiatives, please visit the USF Health Microbiomes Institute page or contact Nora Samaranayake at nsamaranayake@usf.edu.