AMicrobioM

AMicrobioM is exploring the microbial communities (Seaweed-Associated Microbes, SAM for short) living on seaweed along Ireland’s coast to investigate new, natural compounds that could have applications in more sustainable crop agriculture, such as biofertilizers, defence boosters, and growth stimulants. Our approach involves culture-based bioprospecting of the microbiome in the lab, followed by high-throughput methods for detecting bioactivities on crops.

The project has a dual output: first, the generation of a large collection of seaweed-associated microbes and their extracts – open for collaborations –, and second, the detection and characterisation of novel natural bioactives that can be used as agrochemicals. Finally, science education — training new research talent — and communication projects aimed at a broad audience are integral part of our research objectives.

Figure 1. The AMicrobioM project explores the seaweed-associated microbiome as a source of bioactives for pest control, plant health, and biostimulant applications.

WP5 – Dissemination

All findings are shared openly with researchers, industry partners, and the public to maximize impact. Some channels for communication:

• Academic Publications: Peer-reviewed journals and conferences such as AlgalBBB and the European Conference on Marine Natural Products.
• Online Updates: Summaries and progress updates on the project website and affiliated platforms.
• Collaborative Access: AMicrobioM collection—including microbial strains and extract libraries—available for academic collaborations.
• Stakeholders: Engagement with relevant stakeholders from the marine & agriculture industries.
• Cross-sector Applications: The microbial fractions and extracts developed could also be explored for applications in animal and human health. We will leverage TUS’s connections with the pharmaceutical and bioveterinary industries for broader potential.
• Science education: Undergraduate and postgraduate students at TUS will participate in microbiology, genetics, and bioactive screening as part of their internships and research projects, supporting dissemination and future applications of AMicrobioM findings.
• Data Integrity: All data sharing will align with FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles to ensure quality and reproducibility.

Figure 1.A side-by-side illustration of how AMicrobioM-derived bioactives may promote healthier plant growth and improve soil microbiome balance.

Principal Investigator
Dr Antoine Fort || Technological University of the Shannon.

[@] antoine.fort@tus.ie || Pure profile || Google scholar

Antoine Fort graduated with a MSc in Plant Biotechnology from Bordeaux University, France, in 2010 and later on obtained his PhD in NUI Galway on the theme of crop improvement through genetic engineering in 2013. This was followed by several post-doctoral positions, where Antoine worked on a variety of organisms ranging from crops, seaweeds, invertebrates and microbes. Antoine’s expertise and research work is multidisciplinary in nature and ranges from “omics” (genomes, transcriptomes, proteomes & metabolomes) to cas9 genome editing and molecular ecology. After his work on seaweeds physiology in the University of Galway as postdoctoral researcher, he joined the Technological University of the Shannon as a lecturer in 2021. His current research interests are focused on the discovery of novel bioactives from the seaweed microbiome, funded through this Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future project.

Research Engineer
Dr Everton Henrique Da Silva Pereira || Technological University of the Shannon
LinkedIn

Henrique Pereira earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil, and his MSc in Biochemistry from Universidade Federal do Paraná, focusing on microbial applications and brewing biochemistry. In 2025, he completed his PhD in Polymer Engineering at the Technological University of the Shannon, where he developed sustainable antimicrobial materials and mentored students in microbiology. Henrique has collaborated on international projects and published work in microbial and bio-based solutions. Currently a Research Engineer at the Technological University of the Shannon, he contributes to the AMicrobioM project, leveraging his microbiome biotechnology and data-driven research expertise to discover novel bioactives from seaweed microbiomes for agricultural and other uses.

PhD Student
Susan McKenna || Technological University of the Shannon

Susan McKenna Technological University of the Shannon Susan McKenna holds a BSc in Bioveterinary Science and has previous research experience as a microbiologist, working on a project focused on reusable meat packaging. In 2025, she began her PhD at the Technological University of the Shannon, where her research focuses on the discovery of novel bioactive compounds from the seaweed microbiome. Her project is funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). Susan’s background is in microbiology, and she is now expanding her expertise into molecular biology and bioinformatics through this multidisciplinary research. She is also a qualified advanced open water diver with a strong passion for the marine environment, making her research closely aligned with her personal interests.

Research Assistant
Yanis Guerinel || Technological University of the Shannon

Guerinel is a Research Assistant in the AMicrobioM team, specializing in marine microorganism identification, isolation, and characterization. Holding a degree in medical biotechnologies.Yanis actively participated in the TARA TREC expedition in 2024, where he worked in a mobile laboratory to identify new microalgae species across Europe. Outside of his research, he enjoys wildlife exploration and hiking in nature.