About this Research Topic
Several evolutionary and ecological innovations have been determined by symbiotic relationships with phototrophs i.e. the acquisition of plastids and mitochondria, or the evolution of sophisticated mutualisms such as lichens, and corals. Algal symbioses allow the survival of several species in oligotrophic environments (high UV irradiance, low nutrients) making them important factors in the aquatic environments.
This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, and Methods articles aiming to attract outstanding research that provides functional and mechanistic insights on symbiosis in algae (model and non-model systems) across different scales from ecosystems to populations and individuals.
Topics can include:
• The application of chemical, metabolic, and genetic studies to identify the chemistry of signaling molecules, metabolites, and genes, involved in algal symbiosis.
• Studies using bioinformatics for developing new tools and algorithms to dissect the complexity of symbiotic interactions
Please note that descriptive studies, including those using 'omics approaches, defining gene families, or descriptive collections of transcripts, proteins, or metabolites will not be considered for review unless they are expanded and provide mechanistic and/or physiological insights into the algal symbiotic interaction.
Keywords: Symbiosis, microalgae, macroalgae, bacteria, viruses, fungi, co-evolution, holobiont
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.