Microbes are literally everywhere.

Although impossible to see with the naked eye, microbes are tiny organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae that are essential to the health of our bodies and our planet. They provide key nutrients to plants, support the health of our immune systems, and assist the production of the world’s staple foods. Yet the importance of these microscopic but mighty life forms is often overlooked. That’s why we have World Microbiome Day: to celebrate all things microbial.

 In 2021, the theme of World Microbiome Day is Sustainability – celebrating and drawing attention to the role that microbes can play in a sustainable future.

 For example:

•  Microbes are instrumental to the process of photosynthesis which helps to recycle primary elements such as carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. In fact, marine microbes like algae and plankton produce most of the oxygen we breathe and can absorb as much carbon dioxide as plants do on land. Soil microbes provide plants with essential nutrients and natural protection from pests and diseases.
•  Microbes are also powerhouses for the food industry - up to a third of the food we consume depends on them! Microbes produce enzymes that support the fermentation processes needed to produce coffee, chocolate, yogurt, bread, cheese, wine and soy sauce.

 It is clear that microbes play a key role in maintaining healthy global ecosystems, which is why at Mars, we take microbiomes very seriously. From our research on the prebiotic potential of cocoa flavanols to research that aims to broaden our understanding of the microbes found naturally in our mouths, we are committed to delivering products that are trusted and enjoyed, and which can enable people and their pets to live healthier, happier lives. 

 A collaborative approach to unlocking the potential of the gut microbiome

 The gut microbiome – the naturally occurring microbes hosted in the human digestive system – can have a profound effect on health. In our gut, microbes outnumber cells by a factor of 10:1 and are thought to play a role in reducing inflammation as well as the risk of conditions such as heart disease and obesity.

 At the Mars Advanced Research Institute, our mission is to spark discoveries in emerging science and technology that can re-invent the future of our business. And so for us, gaining a deeper understanding of the gut microbiome and its function as a biomarker of human health is of real interest.

 As Vice President of MARI, I am particularly excited about our work with the University of California, Davis, to create the world’s first comprehensive library of the plant fiber structures that support gut microbiome function. By studying the composition of plant polysaccharides, the most complex and abundant carbohydrates found in food, and by profiling the smaller oligosaccharides that they are derived from, researchers are able gain valuable insight into how microbes source energy. This collaboration drove the creation of the start-up Better Carbohydrate Design (BCD) Bioscience. BCD is working to commercialize the manufacture of oligosaccharides so that they can be developed into products that enhance health and are tailored to suit specific needs relevant to the food industry. 

 BCD’s breakthrough technology will enable the design of a roadmap that connects precise carbohydrate structures with their function as prebiotics and immunomodulators, and in turn understand their impact on microbial health. It’s exciting to think MARI’s contribution to innovative research projects such as this could be used to deliver products that can enhance the gut microbiome in humans and pets.

 Our partnership with BCD Bioscience is a great example of the work we do at MARI: pursuing emerging science and technology opportunities that have the potential to transform our businesses and industry for the better. But this work wouldn’t be possible without our global network.

 We believe that translating science into innovation nearly always requires collaboration. And so, at MARI we partner with hundreds of external academic, research and scientific partners, to provide our business partners with the capabilities, connectivity and resources needed to transform ideas into action.

 In celebrating the World Microbiome Day and the organisms that are the cornerstone of life on earth, I also celebrate MARI’s partnerships with institutions and organisations like UC Davis and BCD Bioscience. The hope is that our support for next generation scientific research will help to improve our understanding of microbiomes for the better, allowing Mars to be part of a more sustainable tomorrow.