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

Maria G. Dominguez-Bello (), Dominik Steiger, Manuel Fankhauser, Adrian Egli, Pascale Vonaesch, Nicholas A. Bokulich, Anton Lavrinienko, Christian Hoffmann, Petra Zimmermann, Abdifatah Muhummed, Somphou Sayasone, Amma Larbi, Segla Wilfrid Padonou, Jakob Zinsstag, Rea Tschopp, Chalat Santivarangkna, Diana Albertos Torres, Yuen Yi Li, Vanni Benvenga, Youzheng Teo, Marcel Houngbédji, Alex Kwarteng, Rob Knight, Jack A. Gilbert and Martin J. Blaser
Additional contact information
Maria G. Dominguez-Bello: Rutgers University
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
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
Rea Tschopp: Swiss Tropical and Public Health 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
Jack A. Gilbert: San Diego
Martin J. Blaser: Canadian Institute for Advanced Research

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61008-5

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