Microbiomes are the collective communities of microbes, their (meta)genomes, and their interactions in a particular environment. Important challenges for NIOO are to unravel the processes and mechanisms involved in microbiome diversity and assembly, to elucidate the impact of microbiomes on the functioning of their hosts (e.g. algae, plants, insects, invertebrates, fish, birds) in natural and managed ecosystems. Our aims are:

  • Explore the assembly, dynamics and diversity of microbiomes in response to disturbances such as changes in land use, climate change and host range expansions.
  • Elucidate the role of microbiomes and the underlying mechanisms in the functioning of their eukaryotic hosts
  • Provide insight in the critical role of soil/rhizosphere microbiomes in ecosystem functions, including decomposition, nutrient cycling, (de-) nitrification, disease suppressiveness, and emission of greenhouse gases.

Applied and societal relevance include mining and manipulating microbiomes and their metabolomes for novel antimicrobials, sustainable food production and restoration of natural ecosystems. 

Contact

afbeelding van Arjen Biere
Arjen Biere

afbeelding van Eiko Kuramae
Eiko Kuramae

Spotlight

Promise: Promoting Root Microbes for Integrated Striga Eradication

The long-term goal of the programme is to improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, by increasing the productivity of sorghum: a key cereal crop for food & feed. By using an ecosystems’ approach, the aim is to explore the full potential of beneficial soil microbes to protect sorghum against the parasitic weed Striga.