Yesterday, the Holomicrobiome Institute was officially launched by Staatssecretaris van Landbouw, Visserij, Voedselzekerheid en Natuur | Silvio Erkens. The institute aims to strengthen the Dutch economy and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable society.

Beijerinck’s famous quote, “Fortunate are those who start now” (“Gelukkig zijn zij die nu beginnen”), feels even more relevant today. In the years ahead, many students and young scientists will begin their careers in microbiology, once again positioning Dutch microbiology prominently on the global stage—more than a century after Beijerinck’s pioneering work.

Although I retired last year, I am proud to have been one of the founding fathers of this initiative and will follow the institute’s progress with great interest.

I wish Jan Sikkema, Bas Teusink, Linda van de Burgwal, and all the scientists at the institute every success in the future.