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The microbiota vault initiative: safeguarding Earth’s microbial heritage for future generations

Author

Listed:
  • Maria G. Dominguez-Bello

    (Rutgers University
    Rutgers University
    Canadian Institute for Advanced Research)

  • Dominik Steiger

    (EvalueScience)

  • Manuel Fankhauser

    (St Helier)

  • Adrian Egli

    (University of Zurich)

  • Pascale Vonaesch

    (University of Lausanne)

  • Nicholas A. Bokulich

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Anton Lavrinienko

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Christian Hoffmann

    (University of São Paulo)

  • Petra Zimmermann

    (University of Fribourg and Fribourg Hospital)

  • Abdifatah Muhummed

    (University of Lausanne
    Kebele-10)

  • Somphou Sayasone

    (Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute)

  • Amma Larbi

    (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology)

  • Segla Wilfrid Padonou

    (Ecole des Sciences et Techniques de Conservation et de Transformation des Produits Agricoles, Université Nationale d’Agriculture)

  • Jakob Zinsstag

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
    University of Basel)

  • Rea Tschopp

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
    University of Basel
    Armauer Hansen Research Institute)

  • Chalat Santivarangkna

    (Mahidol University)

  • Diana Albertos Torres

    (University of Zurich)

  • Yuen Yi Li

    (University of Zurich)

  • Vanni Benvenga

    (University of Zurich)

  • Youzheng Teo

    (University of Lausanne)

  • Marcel Houngbédji

    (Ecole des Sciences et Techniques de Conservation et de Transformation des Produits Agricoles, Université Nationale d’Agriculture)

  • Alex Kwarteng

    (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology)

  • Rob Knight

    (San Diego
    San Diego
    San Diego
    San Diego)

  • Jack A. Gilbert

    (San Diego
    San Diego)

  • Martin J. Blaser

    (Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
    Rutgers University)

Abstract

Microbial ecosystems are fundamental to planetary and human health, yet human activities are accelerating their loss. Disruptions to microbial communities undermine environmental stability, biodiversity, and health. Urgent action is required to preserve microbial diversity. The Microbiota Vault Initiative provides a global framework to safeguard microbiomes from human, animal, and environmental sources. It proactively archives microbial diversity for future needs, prioritizing depositor sovereignty, equitable collaboration, and ethical governance. By sharing limited information on deposits, the initiative fosters microbial conservation and collaboration between local and global researchers. It complements other efforts to ensure the resilience of microbiomes in an era of rapid environmental change.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria G. Dominguez-Bello & Dominik Steiger & Manuel Fankhauser & Adrian Egli & Pascale Vonaesch & Nicholas A. Bokulich & Anton Lavrinienko & Christian Hoffmann & Petra Zimmermann & Abdifatah Muhummed , 2025. "The microbiota vault initiative: safeguarding Earth’s microbial heritage for future generations," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-61008-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61008-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ilseung Cho & Shingo Yamanishi & Laura Cox & Barbara A. Methé & Jiri Zavadil & Kelvin Li & Zhan Gao & Douglas Mahana & Kartik Raju & Isabel Teitler & Huilin Li & Alexander V. Alekseyenko & Martin J. B, 2012. "Antibiotics in early life alter the murine colonic microbiome and adiposity," Nature, Nature, vol. 488(7413), pages 621-626, August.
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