TC - SynComs & Microbiome Engineering

Question 1

How do we shape our microbiome? (3)

Answer 1

• Our diet, lifestyle and other factors have implications for our microbiome. We shape it by making various decisions – most of it happens unintentionally.
• Similar principles apply to animal and plant microbiomes, which are also often shaped by us (pets, farm animals, plant production, etc.).
• Collectively we also shape environmental microbiomes – mainly through the release of greenhouse gases and other chemical pollutants.

Question 2

What are examples of food choices that affect the microbiome? (3)

Answer 2

• Milk products with living cultures
• Fermented foods
• High-fiber foods

Question 3

What is a classical scientific approach to alter microbiomes?

Answer 3

Bioreactors are used to mass-produce microorganisms for food, medicine, and agriculture.

• Extended research is required to optimize growth conditions.

Question 4

What is an example of large-scale microorganism production?

Answer 4

Different industrial sectors have implemented large-scale production of beneficial microorganisms for various applications.

Question 5

Give an example of a human probiotic.

Answer 5

Escherichia coli Nissle 1917

• Helps stop acute diarrhea in infants and toddlers.
• Clinical trials confirmed its effectiveness.

Question 6

What are “biologicals” in agriculture?

Answer 6

Probiotics used in agriculture as substitutes for synthetic chemicals.

• Can sometimes be more effective than chemicals in specific conditions

Question 7

What challenges do classical approaches face? (3)

Answer 7

• When individual microorganisms are introduced into a specific system or environment, they must compete against naturally present microorganisms.
• Individually introduced microorganisms often don’t have a long persistence in the environment.
• Individual microorganisms don’t reflect the natural occurrence of mixed-species communities – this is especially important when research is conducted.

Question 8

What are Synthetic Microbial Communities (SynComs)? (2)

Answer 8

Artificially assembled communities of multiple microbial species (prokaryotic or eukaryotic).

• Better resemble natural mixed-species communities than individual probiotics.

Question 9

What are some applications of SynComs? (4)

Answer 9

• Complex probiotics for humans
• Complex probiotics for animals
• Substitutes for synthetic fertilisers/pesticides
• Bioremediation agents for polluted environments

Question 10

Why are SynComs important for research? (2)

Answer 10

• Allow mechanistic studies of microorganisms’ roles in health and disease.
• Enable the creation of humanized microbiome models in animals.

Question 11

How do SynComs benefit plant production? (3)

Answer 11

• Tailored treatments for specific plant species.
• Approaches of varying complexity can be implemented.
• Can enhance nutrient acquisition, e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus, increasing yields in soybean production

Question 12

How do SynComs compare to classical one-strain approaches?

Answer 12

SynComs often have substantially better effects than classical one-strain methods, especially in applications like plant production.

Question 13

Why is shaping microbiomes important? (3)

Answer 13

• Microbiomes play key roles in host health and are interconnected.
• Manipulating one microbiome can have effects on others.
• Targeted strategies, beyond SynComs, are being developed to influence microbiomes using biotic/abiotic factors.