Reviving the Past, Sustaining the Future: Microbiome Innovation for Agriculture

TOLERATE - Adapting to Climate Change in the Rhizosphere Across Millennia

Climate change is increasingly affecting global agriculture, making it harder for plants to grow in degraded and drought-prone soils. The EU-funded project TOLERATE (2023-2027) is exploring a innovative approach to help plants withstand these challenges. By studying ancient DNA from Arctic soils—microbial genes that survived extreme conditions thousands of years ago—we aim to equip modern plant-friendly bacteria with these survival traits. These enhanced bacteria, known as Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB), could help plants grow in dry, poor-quality soils.

How does Bioclear earth contribute?

At Bioclear earth, our role in TOLERATE is to ensure that these beneficial bacteria can successfully establish themselves in the soil and support plant growth without disrupting the existing microbial balance. We focus on tracking their survival and impact using molecular biology techniques such as DNA detection to analyse whether these bacteria can thrive in the soil after being introduced—a process known as bioaugmentation. We also assess microbial interactions by studying how these newly introduced bacteria interact with the native microbial community. Are they beneficial? Do they compete with existing microbes? Our goal is to understand the long-term effects of introducing these bacteria to the soil microbiome. Another key focus is ensuring sustainable application, as the success of this method could lead to the development of sustainable agricultural solutions. These solutions would help farmers to grow crops in challenging conditions without using excessive amounts of fertiliser.

Soil's Tiny Saviors: How Microbes Could Feed Our Future

Soil degradation is a growing global issue, and restoring soil microbiomes is critical to reversing this trend. Marginal lands—characterized by poor soil quality, low crop yield, and occasional pollution—are expanding due to human activities and climate change. By enhancing soil resilience with naturally occurring microbes adapted to extreme conditions, we can support sustainable food production, restore marginal lands, and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.

Beyond agriculture

TOLERATE’s innovations extend beyond farming. TOLERATE partners explore how these ancient microbial genes can be used for industrial applications, such as developing bio-based products for environmental and medical use. This includes biotechnology applications such as engineering bacteria to produce thermostable and cold-tolerant enzymes for industrial use; developing sustainable products using microbial molecules to create bio-based lubricants, cleaning agents and drug delivery systems; and promoting climate resilience by identifying biomolecules such as humidifying polysaccharides and biosurfactant betaines, which help plants retain water and survive in dry conditions.

At Bioclear earth, we are excited to contribute to this innovative project, bridging ancient microbial insight with modern science to create a more sustainable future. Follow our updates as we uncover how microbial adaptation can shape the future of resilient ecosystems.

Are you interested in our methods and would like more information?

Please contact Afnan Suleiman.

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