DNA sequencing can reveal which organisms are present, but it cannot fully capture how they interact or how entire microbial communities function. “The idea is to move beyond the single organism model and develop methods to preserve entire microbial communities,” he said. Preserving an entire soil microbiome, for example, could retain far more of its biological potential than preserving a handful of isolated species. Introducing microorganisms into soils, crops or patients could disrupt existing microbial communities if not done responsibly. EU funding is playing a crucial role in microbiome research, especially as national funding declines and competition at the European level intensifies.