An article published in the journal “Nature” presents a meta-analysis of microbial samples collected by hundreds of researchers from the Earth Microbiome Project (EMP), which pursues a systematic globally attempt to classify microbes. The researchers established protocols and new analytical methods to manage the results of genetic sequencing of bacteria and archaea in multiple studies. Our knowledge of these microorganisms remains limited but this project will allow to expand them and better understand their impact on the ecosystems they’re part of.