mGem: Applying microbiome therapeutic learnings to next-generation agricultural bioproducts

Biological discoveries in plant and human systems have long advanced our understanding of how signaling, metabolism, and immunity shape cross-kingdom interactions. Building on this rich history of interdisciplinary insight, there is now a tremendous opportunity to strengthen connections between human and agricultural microbiome research. This perspective highlights key biological synergies across these systems that are essential for advancing human, agricultural, and ecosystem health. Focus is given to colonization, immune, and biosafety engineering strategies developed for microbiome therapeutics that can guide the design and development of next-generation agricultural bioproducts. Ultimately, greater knowledge exchange and collaboration across disciplines will be critical to translate microbiome discoveries into bioproducts with positive societal impact.