A head and shoulders portrait shot of Professor Wall in the lab

Professor Donal Wall has been acknowledged for his expert review of a recently published microbiome briefing by the Microbiology Society. 

Released in September and titled Where are microbiomes, and why are they important? the report explores the role of microbiomes across human, animal, and environmental health.

Highlights include discussion of cutting-edge research into soil, human, and animal microbiomes and the examination of the opportunities and challenges in harnessing microbial communities for health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.

Sii Head of Bacteriology Professor Wall was credited among the experts who reviewed the briefing, providing scientific advice and insight to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the content. 

His contributions helped shape a briefing that also explores practical applications of microbiome research, such as using nitrogen-fixing bacteria to boost crop productivity, developing probiotics for animal health, and employing microbiomes as potential biomarkers for human disease. 

The briefing, which was also reviewed by Dr Daniel Henk (University of Bath), Professor Lesley Hoyles (Nottingham Trent University), Dr Jack Whitehouse (University of Surrey), is available on the Society’s website and the link in the sidebar.

The closing credits of the briefing thanking experts for their advice, naming Professor Wall, as well as Dr Daniel Henk (University of Bath), Professor Lesley Hoyles (Nottingham Trent University), and Dr Jack Whitehouse (University of Surrey)

First published: 6 November 2025

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The cover of the Microbiology Society Microbiome briefing document, including the MS logo and an image of a hand scooping up soil above text that is intentionally too small to read, as this is just to show the cover