Geographical and temporal distribution of SARS-CoV-2 clades in the WHO European Region, January to June 2020

We show the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 genetic clades over time and between countries and outline potential genomic surveillance objectives. We applied three available genomic nomenclature systems for SARS-CoV-2 to all sequence data from the WHO European Region available during the COVID-19 pandemic until 10 July 2020. We highlight the importance of real-time sequencing and data dissemination in a pandemic situation. We provide a comparison of the nomenclatures and lay a foundation for future European genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.Peer reviewe

Environmental microbiology to the rescue of planet Earth

Environmental Microbiology has undergone a dramatic transition from being a somewhat marginal branch of Life Sciences to becoming one of the most vibrant and visible areas of contemporary research. The homonymous journal has not only borne witness of the growing interest in environmental microbes that bloomed since the mid-1980s but it has helped also to give visibility to the field and nucleate an active and influential community of authors and readers. During the past 20 years the focus has shifted from individual isolates to communities and microbiomes, from single genomes to metagenomes and from small/medium-scale experimental systems to large/very large scenarios. New challenges that were somewhat marginal when the journal was founded have acquired an unanticipated relevance owing to their impact on the global Earth's homeostasis. They include the unacceptably high atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases, the worrying pollution of the oceans with very recalcitrant plastics and microplastics and the noxious effects of micropollutants on many ecosystems. Global problems ask for global solutions and the environmental microbiome - because of its dimension and its amazing activities - may end up being out best instrument to both counter the impact of industrial development and enable a new, sustainable partnership with Nature.European ComissionMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad (España)Comunidad de MadridPeer reviewe