EduBiota in Belgrade: microbiomes, education and dialogue between science and society

Between 3 and 5 June 2026, I participated in the 3rd Annual Conference on “Plant Microbiomes”, held as part of the MiCropBiomes COST Action, in Belgrade, Serbia. The conference brought together researchers from several European countries around an increasingly relevant topic: the role of plant microbiomes in agricultural sustainability, soil health, ecosystem resilience and responses to contemporary environmental challenges.

Over the three days, I had the opportunity to learn more closely about the work being developed by colleagues in this COST Action, ranging from studies on molecular interactions between plants and microorganisms, microbial communities associated with crops, plant diseases and biocontrol, to approaches focusing on microbial inoculants, synthetic communities and adaptation to different environmental conditions. This diversity of perspectives reinforced a central idea for EduBiota: microbiomes are not only a topic of advanced research, but also a powerful opportunity to bring science closer to schools, teachers, students and society.

Participation in this conference was particularly meaningful because of the opportunities I was given to represent Working Group 5: Communication, and engagement with society, contributing to reflection on how the knowledge produced through microbiome research can be communicated, discussed and transformed into educational resources with social relevance.

One of the most significant moments was the invitation from the organising committee to lead a plenary session dedicated to the importance of bringing microbiome literacy into schools. The session sought to address an essential question: why should microbiome science enter educational contexts?

The answer lies in the fact that microbiomes are now connected to fundamental dimensions of contemporary life: sustainable agriculture, soil health, food systems, fermentation, human, animal and plant health, climate, biodiversity, biotechnology and public understanding of science. Today’s students will live in a world where many decisions — environmental, food-related, technological and health-related — will be increasingly shaped by knowledge about microorganisms and microbiomes.

During the session, a discussion was also held with invited Serbian teachers and the audience on ways to integrate this topic into school curricula. We discussed where microbiomes can find a place in science education, which competences this topic can help develop in the classroom, and what types of teaching resources, teacher support and practical adaptations could make this integration more realistic in schools.

The discussion showed that microbiome literacy goes far beyond knowing that microorganisms exist. It involves understanding microorganisms as agents of health and disease, plant growth, soil fertility, food production, ecosystem functioning, sustainability and biotechnological innovation. It also involves helping students move beyond an exclusively negative view of microorganisms, which are often associated only with contamination, hygiene, risk or disease.

In this sense, the educational challenge is not to oversimplify the science, but to make it visible, connected and discussable. Schools can be privileged spaces for transforming specialised knowledge into public understanding, critical thinking and informed participation.

The session also reinforced the importance of understanding school realities before developing educational resources. What ideas do students and teachers have about microorganisms? Which alternative conceptions or uncertainties are most relevant? Where do microbiomes fit within curricula? What practical obstacles do schools face? Which materials, protocols, case studies or teacher guides would be genuinely useful?

These questions are central to the work that EduBiota has been developing. Mediation between science and education requires listening, adaptation and collaboration. It is not enough to transfer scientific knowledge into schools; it is necessary to understand their contexts, constraints, possibilities and real needs.

The experience in Belgrade was also shaped by the city itself. Belgrade is striking for its historical resilience, visible in a diverse architectural landscape where traces of ancient empires, Roman and Ottoman influences, memories of the Yugoslav era, Orthodox religious art and an intense cultural life intersect. In the pedestrian streets, always full of movement, music, art and encounters, the city revealed itself as a place of contrasts, resistance and vitality.

Between scientific sessions, working group meetings, informal conversations and cultural moments, Belgrade offered a particularly inspiring setting in which to think about science as a collective, situated and socially responsible practice.

For EduBiota, this participation reinforces the importance of continuing to work at the intersection of microbiology, science education and communication with society. Microbiome science has much to offer schools: it enables the development of systems thinking, scientific literacy, understanding of sustainability, critical analysis of risks and benefits, and a more balanced view of the relationship between microorganisms, plants, the environment and society.

I end with a special thanks to the conference organising committee for the invitation, the trust and the opportunity to bring education and science communication to the centre of the discussion on microbiomes. I also thank all colleagues from the MiCropBiomes COST Action, particularly from WG5, for the dialogues, learning opportunities and possibilities for future collaboration.

The social impact of microbiome science depends not only on the production of knowledge, but also on the ability to make that knowledge understandable, discussable and useful for different audiences. This was precisely the conviction I took with me to Belgrade — and the one that continues to guide EduBiota’s work.

More information:

3rd Annual Conference of the MiCropBiomes COST Action (https://micropbiomes.eu/)

Belgrade, Serbia | 3–5 June 2026

Education Session: Microbiome literacy, perceptions and educational needs

Working Group 5: Communication, and engagement with society