Pure (single) cultures of microorganisms and mixed microbial communities (microbiomes) have been important for centuries in providing renewable energy, clean water and food products to human society and will continue to play a crucial role to pursue the Sustainable Development Goals. To use microorganisms effectively, microbial engineered processes require adequate control. Microbial communities are shaped by manageable deterministic processes, but also by stochastic processes, which can promote unforeseeable variations and adaptations. Here, we highlight the impact of stochasticity in single culture and microbiome engineering. First, we discuss the concepts and mechanisms of stochasticity in relation to microbial ecology of single cultures and microbiomes. Second, we discuss the consequences of stochasticity in relation to process performance and human health, which are reflected in key disadvantages and important opportunities. Third, we propose a suitable decision tool to deal with stochasticity in which monitoring of stochasticity and setting the boundaries of stochasticity by regulators are central aspects. Stochasticity may give rise to some risks, such as the presence of pathogens in microbiomes. We argue here that by taking the necessary precautions and through clever monitoring and interpretation, these risks can be mitigated.

中文翻译：

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微生物学中的随机性：管理不可预测性以实现可持续发展目标。

几个世纪以来，纯净的（单一）微生物培养和混合的微生物群落（微生物群落）在向人类社会提供可再生能源，清洁水和食品方面都非常重要，并将继续在实现可持续发展目标中发挥关键作用。为了有效利用微生物，微生物工程过程需要适当控制。微生物群落不仅受到可控制的确定性过程的影响，而且受到随机过程的影响，这些随机过程会促进不可预见的变化和适应。在这里，我们强调了随机性对单一文化和微生物组工程学的影响。首先，我们讨论了与单一文化和微生物群落的微生物生态学相关的随机性的概念和机制。第二，我们讨论了随机性与过程绩效和人类健康相关的后果，这些后果反映在关键的劣势和重要的机会上。第三，我们提出了一种处理随机性的合适决策工具，其中监管者对随机性的监视和设定随机性的边界是中心方面。随机性可能会带来一些风险，例如微生物群中存在病原体。我们在这里辩称，通过采取必要的预防措施，以及通过聪明的监视和解释，可以减轻这些风险。随机性可能会带来一些风险，例如微生物群中存在病原体。我们在这里辩称，通过采取必要的预防措施，以及通过聪明的监视和解释，可以减轻这些风险。随机性可能会带来一些风险，例如微生物群中存在病原体。我们在这里辩称，通过采取必要的预防措施，以及通过聪明的监视和解释，可以减轻这些风险。