Davide Faggionato, Melania Muñoz-García, Tanja Kostic, Mariana L Ferrari, Pascale Vonaesch, Mathilde Poyet, Perrine Portier, Matthew J Ryan, Djamila Djeddour, Cornelia Stumptner, Giovanna Cristina Varese, Aurora Zuzuarregui, Mathieu Groussin, Michael Schloter, Robert D Finn, Aylin S Haas, Ian Probert, Gerard Verkley, Jörg Overmann, Amber H Scholz
The Nagoya Protocol establishes an international framework for access and benefit-sharing including for microbial research. Yet many microbiologists have only a vague understanding of what the Nagoya Protocol requires and are unsure how to navigate its complexities, despite the fact that non-compliance can have significant legal consequences and far-reaching reputational and legal impacts. This paper discusses common misconceptions and practical challenges that microbiologists may encounter when complying with the Nagoya Protocol and a step-by-step guide on how to "do" the Nagoya Protocol. We present three case studies to showcase real-life experiences and provide best practice principles for access and benefit-sharing while fostering biodiversity conservation, equitable collaboration, and sustainable innovation.