Scientists build global “Noah’s Ark”

Deep in the cryogenic freezer at the University of Zurich, thousands of microscopic creatures are waiting in suspended animations.

They are part of the first human attempt to protect the disappearing microbiome of the planet, even as our bodies, food systems and ecosystems maintain healthy invisible communities of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Now, the scientists behind this “microbial Noah’s Ark” have announced ethical codes to manage what might be one of the most ambitious projects to protect.

The Microbiota Vault initiative, led by researchers at Rutgers University, collected more than 2,000 samples from 32 countries during its pilot phase. But this is just the beginning of a century-long preservation of microbial diversity before human activities drive the extinction of beneficial microbes.

An invisible crisis

“The microbiome is under great threat, which is similar in many ways to climate change,” explained Martin Blaser, a program member and director of the Rutgers Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine. “Human activities are depleting our microbiome and there is a lot of evidence.”

Threats are everywhere. Overuse of antibiotics can strip away protective gut bacteria. Industrial agriculture destroys soil microorganisms that help plants absorb nutrients. Food preservatives eliminate the beneficial bacteria of fermented foods. Even cesarean sections and formulas can reduce the microbial diversity inherited by newborns.

The consequences bring ripples through human health and planetary systems. The decrease in intestinal flora diversity is associated with an increase in allergies, autoimmune diseases and metabolic diseases. The damaged soil microbiome leads to crop failure. Environmental microorganisms in Arctic permafrost often regulate greenhouse gas emissions, but climate change threatens their stability.

Build a vault

Inspired by Norway’s Svalbard Seed Vault, the program grew from a handful of researchers to more than 100 scientists worldwide. The current phase aims to expand the collection to 10,000 samples by 2029, with plans to establish permanent storage facilities in cold climate locations.

Key achievements and next steps include:

• More than 2,000 samples of feces and fermented food collected worldwide
• Temporary storage of -80°C in Swiss cryogenic facilities
• 10,000 samples of expansion targets by 2029
• Government funds exceed current charitable support
• Permanent vault sites being considered in Switzerland and Canada

Moral ownership

The new ethical framework of the program solves a tricky question: Who owns the microorganisms that live within us? The guidelines establish “depositor sovereignty” to ensure that the original sample collector retains ownership and control. The benefits of any future application must be shared fairly and provide special protection to Indigenous communities.

“We are absolutely committed to developing the microbial islands in a way that maximizes global equity,” said Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello, Chairman of the Initiative and Distinguished Professor of Rutgers’ College of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

This method contrasts sharply with historical biometers, which extracts valuable biological resources from developing countries without compensation or consent.

Future applications

Current technologies have not yet recovered complex microbial communities, but researchers envision final applications in medicine, agriculture and ecosystem restoration. Preserved microorganisms may one day treat the disease, increase crop yields or repair damaged environments.

“We think that one day, science will be improved enough so that we have really good recovery technology,” Blaser reflected. “But if it’s too late, then the main members of the microbiome are gone, and like dodos, we won’t be able to recover them unless we store them safely.”

The timing coincides with World Microbial Day on June 27, which emphasizes that our invisible microbial companion may be as crucial as the charismatic Megafauna. After all, you can’t see them, but you can’t survive without them.

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