From description to implementation: key takeaways from the 3rd African Microbiome Symposium

Charissa C Marsh^#^{1

2}, Kristien Nel Van Zyl^#¹, Olubukola Oluranti Babalola^{3

4}, Reinhard Böhmer⁵, Don A Cowan⁶, Kgabo L M Moganedi⁷, Itumeleng Moroenyane⁸, Jerolen Naidoo^{9

10

11}, Abigail Nieves Delgado¹², Joram M Posma¹³, Leopoldo N Segal¹⁴, Mathabatha E Setati^{1

15}

Affiliations

¹ African Microbiome Institute, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
² DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
³ Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom.
⁵ PathCare laboratories, Cape Town, South Africa.
⁶ Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
⁷ Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa.
⁸ The Plant Holobiont Lab, Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
⁹ Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Future Production Chemicals Cluster, Pretoria, South Africa.
¹⁰ Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
¹¹ Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
¹² Freudenthal Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
¹³ Section of Bioinformatics, Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
¹⁴ Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
¹⁵ South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 41258716
PMCID: PMC12724225
DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00683-25

From description to implementation: key takeaways from the 3rd African Microbiome Symposium

Charissa C Marsh et al. mSphere. 2025.

. 2025 Dec 23;10(12):e0068325.

doi: 10.1128/msphere.00683-25. Epub 2025 Nov 19.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ African Microbiome Institute, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
² DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
³ Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom.
⁵ PathCare laboratories, Cape Town, South Africa.
⁶ Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
⁷ Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa.
⁸ The Plant Holobiont Lab, Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
⁹ Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Future Production Chemicals Cluster, Pretoria, South Africa.
¹⁰ Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
¹¹ Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
¹² Freudenthal Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
¹³ Section of Bioinformatics, Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
¹⁴ Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
¹⁵ South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 41258716
PMCID: PMC12724225
DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00683-25

Abstract

The 3rd African Microbiome Symposium was held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 20 to 22 November 2024. The symposium featured a diverse range of local and international microbiome research and provided a platform for 79 researchers, students, and industry members to engage in discussions on the microbiome within an African context and focusing on translational research. This meeting review shares highlights, findings, and recommendations derived from the event. Insights from two panel discussions revealed key barriers to microbiome research in Africa, including limited funding, infrastructure gaps, and a shortage of trained local scientists. Recommendations centered on increased investment, institutional training, adherence to ethical guidelines, and the fostering of equitable global partnerships.

Keywords: african microbiomes; capacity building; metagenomics; translational research.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

**Fig 1**
Geographic representation of the 65 academic attendees, including researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and students.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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From description to implementation: key takeaways from the 3rd African Microbiome Symposium

Affiliations

From description to implementation: key takeaways from the 3rd African Microbiome Symposium

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Figures

References

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources