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In today's interview, we speak with Pauline Van Leeuwen, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Liège, about her work on microbiome profiling within BCOMING. Pauline’s research focuses on understanding how microbial communities in wildlife, particularly bats and rodents, influence disease emergence. She shares insights into her analysis of microbiome diversity, the significance of studying Rhinolophus bats, and the potential implications of her findings for biodiversity, public health, and environmental policies. Join us as we explore the critical role of microbiomes in shaping disease dynamics.

In our latest interview with Professor Rodolphe (Rudy) Gozlan, Director of Research and Professor in Conservation Ecology at the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), he shared with us some fascinating insights about IRD's work in the BCOMING project. The conversation centred on how their work is helping to identify the links between biodiversity and disease risk, with a particular focus on Cambodia, as well as other regions such as Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Guadeloupe.

In a recent discussion with Alex Smajgl and John Ward from MERFI, partners in BCOMING, we explored the complexities of addressing zoonotic risks through a participatory and integrated approach. Their roles focus on fostering dialogue between scientists and a diverse array of stakeholders. This dialogue involves not only sharing scientific findings but also listening to community concerns and integrating them into a broader understanding of zoonotic disease transmission.

Within the frame of BCOMING, iDE (International Development Enterprises) is working hard in examining the socio-economic risk factors that drive zoonotic disease transmission, particularly in biodiversity hotspots, including Cambodia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Guadeloupe. Their work, as explained by iDE, focuses on how human activities—such as hunting, trading, and consuming wildlife—create pathways for pathogens to cross from animals to humans, a process known as "spillover."

BCOMING officially started over two years ago, with a mission to protect our planet’s biodiversity and prevent future pandemics. As we surpass the halfway mark of the project, we wanted to take the opportunity to sit down with our partners and reflect on what has been accomplished so far, discuss its significance, and the next steps ahead.

We had the chance to have a chat with Dr. Tiffany Jedrecka, who leads the R&D team at NatureMetrics, to discuss their innovative work on biodiversity assessments and the development of rapid in-field detection tools.

Salmonella spp. in Bats, Rodents, and Dogs in the Nan Region, Thailand.

By Dr. Alix NICOLAS, Veterinarian, as part of her final internship at the University of Liège, Belgium, in partnership with Kasetsart University, Thailand, for the Spillover Interface Project

As part of the BCOMING project in Guinea, CERFIG organised a field mission from 12th to 27th January 2024, for capturing rodents and sampling bats in the Samyankhouré cave, Madina-Oula sub-prefecture.

Biological samples as well as epidemiological, ecological, socio-economic and environmental data will be collected in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems across all BCOMING study sites, while standardising and complementing the data collection initiated by the consortium members in their ongoing collaborative projects. 

Julien Cappelle, vétérinaire et écologue de la santé au Cirad de Montpellier, pilote le projet qui mobilisera une centaine de scientifiques dans huit pays. Objectif : repérer les risques d'émergence de nouveaux virus et proposer des solutions concrètes pour éviter une nouvelle pandémie.