ECHO at ISME, Cape Town

The International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME) is the frontrunner in advancing research on the vibrant world of microbes. The 19th edition, held in 2024, brought together pioneering minds from diverse corners of the globe to delve into the realms of microbial ecosystems.

Our project coordinator, Tanja Mimmo, was there in Cape Town to promote ECHO during the poster session and beyond.

As project ECHO, we were especially interested in sessions discussing agricultural microbiomes, which focused on the microbial ecosystems present in agricultural environments and how they can impact plant growth, nutrient cycling, and soil health. Other fascinating sessions revolved around the topics of extreme microbiology, which studies the life that thrives in extreme environments, such as hot springs, polar regions, and deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Naturally, no one interested in soil should miss a talk on fungal biodiversity – from their symbiotic associations with plants to their important roles in nutrient cycling and decomposition.
Overall, the topics of this year’s Symposium highlight the incredible diversity and complexity of microbial ecosystems, the vital roles that microorganisms play in shaping our world, and the exciting research opportunities that lie ahead in microbial ecology. We hope to see you there again for the next edition in 2026. Together, let’s continue unraveling the hidden wonders of microbial ecosystems!