The number of microbes in,on, and around the planet - on the order of a nonillion, and 1030 - is estimated to outnumber the stars in the Milky Way. Microbes are known to play crucial roles in regulating carbon fixation,as well as maintaining global cycles involving nitrogen, sulfur, or phosphorus and other nutrients,but the majority of them remain uncultured and unknown. The U.
S. Department of Energy (DOE) is targeting this "microbial gloomy matter" to better understand the planet's microbial diversity and glean from nature lessons that can be applied toward energy and environmental challenges.
Source: phys.org