Private sector groups joined the Obama administration in pledging $500 million for “the integrated study of microbiomes across different ecosystems.” Microbiomes, communities of micro-organisms that live on or in people, plants, soil, oceans and the atmosphere, maintain healthy functioning of diverse ecosystems and influence human health, climate change and food security, said the White House science office.
The National Microbiome Initiative would begin with $121 million in federal funding, including a proposed $15.9 million from the USDA, and support from 100 institutions outside the federal government. The largest donor would be the Gates Foundation, which would provide $100 million over four years, said the White House. The USDA funding would be devoted to research of micobiomes in plants, livestock, fish, soil, air and water in relation to food production.
“Numerous industrial processes such as biofuel production and food processing depend on healthy microbial communities,” said the White House. “Although new technologies have enabled exciting discoveries about the importance of microbiomes, scientists still lack the knowledge and tools to manage microbiomes in a manner that prevents dysfunction or restores healthy function.”