Most people think of microbes as the enemy. This is to be expected, as indeed some can make us sick, even kill us. But although there are millions of species, only a few hundred are pathogenic. Next to the “bad” microbes is a whole army of “good” microbes. Without them, we would not be able to survive. They remain at the center of events on our planet for billions of years. We may not see them, but they inhabit. They are found mainly in our gastrointestinal system, in our intestinal flora.

If microbes did not exist, the Earth would be very different. Without them, there would be no us. Modern lifestyle, from diet to antibiotics, is the enemy of germs. An international team of scientists based at the Institute of Medical Microbiology in Switzerland took up their defense. As part of the Microbiota Repository project, feces are collected from different countries (in developing countries) with the hope of creating just that: “a treasure trove of microbes that could potentially help humanity in the future if some of the beneficial microbes in our gut disappear,” as explained especially for “K” Dr. Dominik Steiger, molecular biologist and member of the scientific core of the initiative.

– Indeed, microbes are the most important components of all natural ecosystems. They are durable, adaptable and will last a long time. However, at stake is the balance and diversity of microflora in the planet’s ecosystems, which are threatened by anthropogenic impacts such as environmental degradation and the climate crisis. And, accordingly, the diversity of microbes in our body. They are influenced by our lifestyle. Speaking of enemies, today we have a means to fight bacterial infections that cause diseases – these are antibiotics. They saved millions of lives. But their abuse and misuse leads to the creation of resistant microbes and affects our microbiome. Somehow we become our own enemies.

– Yes, there is evidence of how the advancement of westernization and urbanization at the global level leads to a reduction in the diversity of human-associated microbiomes and the degradation of biodiversity in the environment. However, research has only just begun to understand the connection between the two.

“The microbiome of our body is vital for the formation and functioning of our immune and nervous systems, as well as for our metabolism. Many studies show the association of microbial diversity with diseases such as obesity, diabetes, asthma, celiac disease, cancer, and others. However, these studies are in their infancy. Science still has a long way to go in this area.

The microbiome of our body is vital for the immune and nervous systems, as well as for metabolism.

– From the Western way of life. Scientists around the world, our employees, began to collect samples of the population of non-industrialized countries. The people there, still leading a traditional lifestyle, display the enormous diversity of their microbiome.

– Why on the planet began “impoverishment” of microflora, transmitted from generation to generation. We are constantly and irreversibly losing valuable information and opportunities at a time when science is only beginning to understand the importance of our microbial environment and microbiome to our health. The knowledge we gain will lead—not our generation, perhaps not the next—to new treatments, valuable probiotics, and the restoration of healthy microbiomes.

– Continue collecting as many samples as possible. In order for the individuals and organizations that finance the project to stay on our side, while others are added, we also need government support. We are moving on to the next step, building a special infrastructure for storing samples and creating a digital database open to everyone. Recognize our efforts as an investment in the future of humanity at the supranational level.

“The great diversity of the microbiome is linked to our health and defense against pathogens. We must learn to maintain and restore our microflora in order to be healthy and optimize our resistance to various viruses. The microbiota repository supports the principles of One Health: the health of people depends on the health of the environment.

– It is an honor and pleasure for me to participate in a project where biodiversity, health and research “meet”. I hope that we can make a positive contribution in all three areas. For me personally, it is very important how this initiative was created. It shows how global connections can be made so that we can all act with integrity and justice for our common good.