NI: BioSkyNet: the first global network of bioaerosols researchers

Lead Research Organisation: University of Essex
Department Name: Life Sciences

Abstract

The air we breathe is teaming with microorganisms, with air currents transporting microbes globally. The earliest efforts to describe the distribution of airborne microbes were carried out by the founding father of microbiology, Louis Pasteur, over 125 years ago; but since then airborne microbes have been largely ignored. One reasons for this is that there are significant technical challenges in collecting airborne microorganisms,and thus microbial ecologists have focused on the low hanging fruit of soil and waterborne microorganisms. Even when efforts have been made to study airborne microorganisms, the research has been largely focused at a local/national level, but air pollution does not respect national boarders. Therefore, we have assembled a new network of world-leading experts in bioaerosols biomonitoring to take a global perspective on the ecology and human and environmental health effects of airborne microorganisms.

Collectively, airborne microorganisms are referred to as bioaerosols, which is simply the fraction of air particles that are from a biological origin. Exposure to poor air quality is a major global driver of poor health, killing 1 in 8 people. Pollen is probably the best known example of a bioaerosol, which as an allogen, has a direct impact on public health. However, live bacteria, fungi, and viruses in the air pose a significant health risk through infectious respiratory diseases such as Legionellosis and Aspergillosis. The negative public health risks in themselves makes research into bioaerosols worthwhile. However, bioaerosols also play central roles in the life cycles of microorganisms, global ecology, and climate patterns. Analysis of bioaerosols at landscape scales has shown that even marine and terrestrial environments are connected over vast distances by exchange of bioaerosols. Indeed, it is well known that bioaerosols can be transported between continents on 'microbial motorways' in the sky (e.g. Saharan dust). Further to this, bioaerosols influence the climate by acting as nucleation forming particles and promoting precipitation. Due to the vast distances involved it is not possible to get the full picture from studies carried out at a local or national level, instead a global perspective is required to study these processes.

A major recent methodological advancement in microbial ecology is the application of 'next generation sequencing' technology. Isolation of DNA from the environment and its analysis with high throughput sequencing has been a key tool in revolutionizing our understanding of the ecology of microbes from soil and water environments. Due to the lower concentrations of microorganisms in air samples this is technically challenging for bioaerosols. Consequently molecular methods are underutilised in bioaerosols research. Nevertheless a number of research groups across the globe have developed methods for molecular (DNA based) analysis of bioaerosols. However, a lack of standardisation between these methods makes it challenging to compare results and draw conclusions from combined datasets. This new network brings these experts together for the first time in order to standardise and further improve these methods. However, a key objective of this network is to make these methods more widely available. The largest burden of air pollution is in lower and middle income countries, where access to advanced molecular methods is limited. Through the network, researchers in lower and middle income countries can access these tools, pushing research forward where the need is greatest.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description The broad aim of this project was to seed a global network of bioaerosols researchers. Specifically this would focus on 1) standardising methods, 2) coordination of sampling across the global network, 3) improving global capacity, and 4) identifying future questions and funding.

A virtual workshop was held in 2021 bringing together bioaerosols researchers from across the globe. This workshop formed new partnerships resulting in novel research and a publication on best practice for standardisation of methods (https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.aecr.2022.09.004) (Aim 1, 2, and 3). We also collaborated with another NERC funded Network (BioAirnet) to produce teaching resources for improving the air quality curriculum in schools (https://bioairnet.co.uk/teaching-materials/). Through the connections made during this project (and exploiting the standardisation of methods and experience in sharing samples internationally developed during the project) members of this network formed the biological team of an interdisciplinary consortium that was useful in securing funding (8M euros) from the EU to investigate and improve air quality and health outcomes in Schools across 7 countries (Aim 4).

As a further output, we developed best practice in coordinating a virtual collaborating building workshop involving participants from across the globe (13 hr time difference). We used an approach combining synchronous and a-synchronous platforms which was published as a case study by our workshop facilitator and can be used as a template for future workshops by scientists.
Exploitation Route The best practice and standardized methods can be taken forward by researchers, policymakers, and government scientists to improve our understanding of and regulation of bioaerosol emissions (airborne microorganisms).

The case study on the virtual workshop can form a blueprint for holding virtual workshops to build collaborations, and coordinate scientific research across global networks.
Sectors Agriculture

Food and Drink

Environment

Healthcare

Government

Democracy and Justice

Transport

 
Description Airborne antimicrobial resistance: identifying the main environmental sources and health impacts
Amount £99,998 (GBP)
Funding ID SBF007\100130 
Organisation Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2022 
End 05/2024
 
Description HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02
Amount € 8,310,333 (EUR)
Funding ID 101056883 
Organisation European Commission 
Sector Public
Country European Union (EU)
Start 06/2022 
End 07/2026
 
Description BioAirNet 
Organisation Cranfield University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Participation in the NERC funded BioAirNet network by the PI (NE/V002171/1) Intellectual input -collaboration on outreach and production of teaching resources to support outreach.
Collaborator Contribution Participation by the BioAirNet team in our network. Intellectual input - attendance at our workshop and collaboration on outreach and production of teaching resources to support outreach.
Impact A set of teaching teaching resources to introduce primary and secondary school students to biological particles also known as bioaerosols, on their origins, sources and what effects they can have on our health.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Ghosh - University of Delhi, Collaboration on molecular characterisation of bioaerosols in Delhi India 
Organisation University of Delhi
Country India 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Expertise in molecular characterisation of bioaerosols Access to equipment intellectual input
Collaborator Contribution Intellectual input on design of research Collaboration to collect samples
Impact No outputs at this stage
Start Year 2021
 
Description INCHILDHEALTH 
Organisation Aalto University
Country Finland 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Essex BioSkyNet team successfully formed a consortium to apply to the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02 call (listed partners). In addition to intellectual input on the grant application BioSkyNet members will provide equipment, facilities, and expertise in work packages on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation with samples to be collected across Europe.
Collaborator Contribution All collaborators provide intellectual input on the grant application and research. As well as relevant expertise and access to equipment in this interdisciplinary grant. Partners from the Austrian Institute Of Technology (AIT) and Instituto Politecnico De Lisboa joined the BioSkyNet network are also leading on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation as part of this grant. AIT will also work with Essex to apply out rapid air sampling methods to virus detection.
Impact Successful grant application multi-disciplinary: integrates health, environmental, technical and social sciences research.
Start Year 2021
 
Description INCHILDHEALTH 
Organisation Aarhus University
Country Denmark 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Essex BioSkyNet team successfully formed a consortium to apply to the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02 call (listed partners). In addition to intellectual input on the grant application BioSkyNet members will provide equipment, facilities, and expertise in work packages on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation with samples to be collected across Europe.
Collaborator Contribution All collaborators provide intellectual input on the grant application and research. As well as relevant expertise and access to equipment in this interdisciplinary grant. Partners from the Austrian Institute Of Technology (AIT) and Instituto Politecnico De Lisboa joined the BioSkyNet network are also leading on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation as part of this grant. AIT will also work with Essex to apply out rapid air sampling methods to virus detection.
Impact Successful grant application multi-disciplinary: integrates health, environmental, technical and social sciences research.
Start Year 2021
 
Description INCHILDHEALTH 
Organisation Austrian Institute of Technology
Country Austria 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The Essex BioSkyNet team successfully formed a consortium to apply to the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02 call (listed partners). In addition to intellectual input on the grant application BioSkyNet members will provide equipment, facilities, and expertise in work packages on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation with samples to be collected across Europe.
Collaborator Contribution All collaborators provide intellectual input on the grant application and research. As well as relevant expertise and access to equipment in this interdisciplinary grant. Partners from the Austrian Institute Of Technology (AIT) and Instituto Politecnico De Lisboa joined the BioSkyNet network are also leading on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation as part of this grant. AIT will also work with Essex to apply out rapid air sampling methods to virus detection.
Impact Successful grant application multi-disciplinary: integrates health, environmental, technical and social sciences research.
Start Year 2021
 
Description INCHILDHEALTH 
Organisation Centre for Social Innovation
Country Austria 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Essex BioSkyNet team successfully formed a consortium to apply to the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02 call (listed partners). In addition to intellectual input on the grant application BioSkyNet members will provide equipment, facilities, and expertise in work packages on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation with samples to be collected across Europe.
Collaborator Contribution All collaborators provide intellectual input on the grant application and research. As well as relevant expertise and access to equipment in this interdisciplinary grant. Partners from the Austrian Institute Of Technology (AIT) and Instituto Politecnico De Lisboa joined the BioSkyNet network are also leading on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation as part of this grant. AIT will also work with Essex to apply out rapid air sampling methods to virus detection.
Impact Successful grant application multi-disciplinary: integrates health, environmental, technical and social sciences research.
Start Year 2021
 
Description INCHILDHEALTH 
Organisation Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona
Country Spain 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Essex BioSkyNet team successfully formed a consortium to apply to the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02 call (listed partners). In addition to intellectual input on the grant application BioSkyNet members will provide equipment, facilities, and expertise in work packages on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation with samples to be collected across Europe.
Collaborator Contribution All collaborators provide intellectual input on the grant application and research. As well as relevant expertise and access to equipment in this interdisciplinary grant. Partners from the Austrian Institute Of Technology (AIT) and Instituto Politecnico De Lisboa joined the BioSkyNet network are also leading on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation as part of this grant. AIT will also work with Essex to apply out rapid air sampling methods to virus detection.
Impact Successful grant application multi-disciplinary: integrates health, environmental, technical and social sciences research.
Start Year 2021
 
Description INCHILDHEALTH 
Organisation Monash University
Country Australia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Essex BioSkyNet team successfully formed a consortium to apply to the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02 call (listed partners). In addition to intellectual input on the grant application BioSkyNet members will provide equipment, facilities, and expertise in work packages on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation with samples to be collected across Europe.
Collaborator Contribution All collaborators provide intellectual input on the grant application and research. As well as relevant expertise and access to equipment in this interdisciplinary grant. Partners from the Austrian Institute Of Technology (AIT) and Instituto Politecnico De Lisboa joined the BioSkyNet network are also leading on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation as part of this grant. AIT will also work with Essex to apply out rapid air sampling methods to virus detection.
Impact Successful grant application multi-disciplinary: integrates health, environmental, technical and social sciences research.
Start Year 2021
 
Description INCHILDHEALTH 
Organisation National Centre for Scientific Research (NCSR) Demokritos
Country Greece 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Essex BioSkyNet team successfully formed a consortium to apply to the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02 call (listed partners). In addition to intellectual input on the grant application BioSkyNet members will provide equipment, facilities, and expertise in work packages on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation with samples to be collected across Europe.
Collaborator Contribution All collaborators provide intellectual input on the grant application and research. As well as relevant expertise and access to equipment in this interdisciplinary grant. Partners from the Austrian Institute Of Technology (AIT) and Instituto Politecnico De Lisboa joined the BioSkyNet network are also leading on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation as part of this grant. AIT will also work with Essex to apply out rapid air sampling methods to virus detection.
Impact Successful grant application multi-disciplinary: integrates health, environmental, technical and social sciences research.
Start Year 2021
 
Description INCHILDHEALTH 
Organisation Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon
Country Portugal 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Essex BioSkyNet team successfully formed a consortium to apply to the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02 call (listed partners). In addition to intellectual input on the grant application BioSkyNet members will provide equipment, facilities, and expertise in work packages on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation with samples to be collected across Europe.
Collaborator Contribution All collaborators provide intellectual input on the grant application and research. As well as relevant expertise and access to equipment in this interdisciplinary grant. Partners from the Austrian Institute Of Technology (AIT) and Instituto Politecnico De Lisboa joined the BioSkyNet network are also leading on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation as part of this grant. AIT will also work with Essex to apply out rapid air sampling methods to virus detection.
Impact Successful grant application multi-disciplinary: integrates health, environmental, technical and social sciences research.
Start Year 2021
 
Description INCHILDHEALTH 
Organisation Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Country Spain 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The Essex BioSkyNet team successfully formed a consortium to apply to the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02 call (listed partners). In addition to intellectual input on the grant application BioSkyNet members will provide equipment, facilities, and expertise in work packages on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation with samples to be collected across Europe.
Collaborator Contribution All collaborators provide intellectual input on the grant application and research. As well as relevant expertise and access to equipment in this interdisciplinary grant. Partners from the Austrian Institute Of Technology (AIT) and Instituto Politecnico De Lisboa joined the BioSkyNet network are also leading on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation as part of this grant. AIT will also work with Essex to apply out rapid air sampling methods to virus detection.
Impact Successful grant application multi-disciplinary: integrates health, environmental, technical and social sciences research.
Start Year 2021
 
Description INCHILDHEALTH 
Organisation Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology
Country Switzerland 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Essex BioSkyNet team successfully formed a consortium to apply to the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02 call (listed partners). In addition to intellectual input on the grant application BioSkyNet members will provide equipment, facilities, and expertise in work packages on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation with samples to be collected across Europe.
Collaborator Contribution All collaborators provide intellectual input on the grant application and research. As well as relevant expertise and access to equipment in this interdisciplinary grant. Partners from the Austrian Institute Of Technology (AIT) and Instituto Politecnico De Lisboa joined the BioSkyNet network are also leading on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation as part of this grant. AIT will also work with Essex to apply out rapid air sampling methods to virus detection.
Impact Successful grant application multi-disciplinary: integrates health, environmental, technical and social sciences research.
Start Year 2021
 
Description INCHILDHEALTH 
Organisation Technical University of Crete
Country Greece 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Essex BioSkyNet team successfully formed a consortium to apply to the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02 call (listed partners). In addition to intellectual input on the grant application BioSkyNet members will provide equipment, facilities, and expertise in work packages on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation with samples to be collected across Europe.
Collaborator Contribution All collaborators provide intellectual input on the grant application and research. As well as relevant expertise and access to equipment in this interdisciplinary grant. Partners from the Austrian Institute Of Technology (AIT) and Instituto Politecnico De Lisboa joined the BioSkyNet network are also leading on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation as part of this grant. AIT will also work with Essex to apply out rapid air sampling methods to virus detection.
Impact Successful grant application multi-disciplinary: integrates health, environmental, technical and social sciences research.
Start Year 2021
 
Description INCHILDHEALTH 
Organisation University of Lisbon
Department Instituto Superior Tecnico
Country Portugal 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Essex BioSkyNet team successfully formed a consortium to apply to the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02 call (listed partners). In addition to intellectual input on the grant application BioSkyNet members will provide equipment, facilities, and expertise in work packages on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation with samples to be collected across Europe.
Collaborator Contribution All collaborators provide intellectual input on the grant application and research. As well as relevant expertise and access to equipment in this interdisciplinary grant. Partners from the Austrian Institute Of Technology (AIT) and Instituto Politecnico De Lisboa joined the BioSkyNet network are also leading on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation as part of this grant. AIT will also work with Essex to apply out rapid air sampling methods to virus detection.
Impact Successful grant application multi-disciplinary: integrates health, environmental, technical and social sciences research.
Start Year 2021
 
Description INCHILDHEALTH 
Organisation University of Oulu
Department Biocenter Oulu
Country Finland 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Essex BioSkyNet team successfully formed a consortium to apply to the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02 call (listed partners). In addition to intellectual input on the grant application BioSkyNet members will provide equipment, facilities, and expertise in work packages on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation with samples to be collected across Europe.
Collaborator Contribution All collaborators provide intellectual input on the grant application and research. As well as relevant expertise and access to equipment in this interdisciplinary grant. Partners from the Austrian Institute Of Technology (AIT) and Instituto Politecnico De Lisboa joined the BioSkyNet network are also leading on bioaerosols measurement and characterisation as part of this grant. AIT will also work with Essex to apply out rapid air sampling methods to virus detection.
Impact Successful grant application multi-disciplinary: integrates health, environmental, technical and social sciences research.
Start Year 2021
 
Description The Clean Air Crisis topic framework 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact The intended purpose was to create a resource to introduce teachers to key concepts about airborne microbiology that can be used to plan lessons to improve microbial literacy in school age children.

A topic framework entitled "The Clean Air Crisis" was written and will be published as part of an outreach initiative by SfAM "The urgent need for microbiology literacy in society" which provides teaching resources for teachers on aspects of microbiology.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022
URL https://bioairnet.co.uk/teaching-materials/