FRANCE – INRAE (the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment) and Lallemand Animal Nutrition (LAN) have established a collaborative laboratory dubbed “Biofilm1Health” to advance sustainable solutions in animal and environmental health.

This cutting-edge initiative aims to harness the potential of beneficial biofilms—complex microbial communities that protect and enhance the environments they inhabit—to create next-generation solutions that improve animal welfare, reduce reliance on chemicals, and support environmental sustainability. 

The project aligns with the One Health approach, emphasising human, animal, and environmental health interconnection.

The lab’s research is centred on biofilm phenotyping and artificial intelligence to explore how beneficial biofilms can outcompete harmful microorganisms, thus enhancing livestock health and ecological balance. 

According to the Biofilm1Health research framework, the lab is organised into four core research areas: selecting beneficial microbial strains, understanding microbial interactions within biofilms, optimising field-ready products, and developing methods to study biofilms in real-world conditions. 

This multi-pronged approach maximises biofilm benefits across different environments and practical applications.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition, known for pioneering probiotic solutions for animal feed, is partnering with the Micalis Institute’s B3D team, specialising in microbial biofilm research. 

This collaboration, supported by the French National Research Agency (ANR), draws on decades of expertise in biofilm science and animal nutrition. 

The B3D team’s internationally acclaimed research into microbial community interactions provides the foundation for preventive and curative applications in food production, healthcare, and environmental management.

LAN brings its robust experience in microbial solutions, having been instrumental in developing probiotics and yeast-based solutions for animal nutrition since the 1980s. 

Their innovations span various animal nutrition sectors, including ruminants, poultry, pigs, aquaculture, and pets. 

By integrating biofilm technology with animal health products, LAN seeks to drive sustainable growth in livestock and environmental management.

The Biofilm1Health initiative marks a major step forward in microbial science, with implications extending across agriculture, animal health, and environmental conservation. 

By applying biofilm science to livestock, the collaboration aspires to create healthier ecosystems that reduce dependency on chemical interventions and enhance animal welfare. 

This innovative laboratory represents a pioneering effort in the study of biofilms and underscores INRAE and LAN’s commitment to promoting sustainable practices that benefit a diverse range of industries.

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