BAGECO 2025: Bacteria Drive Our Planet’s Health

Graz, Austria

From July 1–4, 2025, the 17th International Symposium on Bacterial Genetics and Ecology (BAGECO) took place in Graz, Austria, in cooperation with the 11th Theodor Escherich Symposium. With the theme “Bacteria drive our planet’s health,” the symposium brought together 230 scientists from 37 countries across 6 continents to explore the urgent intersections of microbiomes, climate change, biodiversity, and human health.

The Spin-Fert project was proudly represented by 10 scientists from 8 partner institutions, who contributed across multiple sessions, participatory activities, and informal networking moments — reinforcing the need for interdisciplinary science and action.

Opening with Soil: The “Breath of Soil: Memory Nexus” Action

BAGECO 2025 opened with a participatory action initiated by Spin-Fert partners:
“Breath of Soil: Memory Nexus.”

Attendees were invited to smell samples of healthy SPIN-FERT soil and write down the personal memories the scent evoked. These collected memories will contribute to the symbolic creation of an RNA memory molecule — a poetic bridge between microbiome science and human experience.

This multisensory activity set a reflective tone for the symposium, inviting scientists to connect not just intellectually but emotionally with their work and with each other.

Scientific Discussions: Urgency, Research, and Action

Over the following days, the symposium hosted powerful conversations that addressed:

• The loss of microbial diversity and its connections to chronic diseases and antimicrobial resistance
  
• How microbiome disruptions in agriculture and natural ecosystems are tied to climate change and biodiversity loss
  
• The potential of microbiome analysis to evaluate and respond to harmful trends in food production, pollution, and urban environments
  

Solutions proposed included microbiome-based therapies, sustainable land-use strategies, green cities, and greater public engagement — underscoring the need for collaborative, systemic approaches to health and environmental crises.

Spin-Fert Contributions and Community Spirit

Spin-Fert researchers played an active role in both the scientific and social life of the symposium:

• Sharing insights on soil health, sustainable growing practices, and the role of microbes in agriculture
  
• Amplifying our collective impact through joint presentations, informal conversations, and creative approaches to science communication
  
• Participating in memorable shared moments — coffee chats, team dinners, evening walks, and deep conversations across disciplines
  

These “in-between” moments proved just as valuable as formal presentations, reflecting the power of community and the importance of connection in building resilient scientific networks.

Conference Highlights & Recognition

🎉 Two standout contributions were recognized during the closing ceremony:

• 🏆 Best Talk Award: Samuel Bickel, for an outstanding presentation combining depth and visionary thinking
  
• 🏅 Best Poster Award: Morten Streblow et al., for a visually compelling and scientifically impactful poster
  

These awards celebrated the diversity of voices and ideas shared throughout the week — and the boldness with which the scientific community is tackling our era’s most complex challenges.

Closing Reflections: Science, Memory, and Movement

BAGECO 2025 made one thing clear: bacteria are not just drivers of planetary health — they are also connectors between disciplines, geographies, and people. Tackling the intertwined crises of our time — from soil degradation to public health — demands collaborative, imaginative, and interdisciplinary science.

We extend heartfelt thanks to our generous hosts in Graz, to all the participants for their energy and insights, and to the incredible Spin-Fert team for making this experience unforgettable.

🔗 Learn more about BAGECO: https://bageco.org