Synthetic Biology and Sensor-Based Approaches for Engineering Plant–Microbe–Virus Interactions

Interactions among plants, microbes, and viruses have a significant influence on ecosystem dynamics, plant health, and agricultural productivity. Historically, research has centered on deciphering naturally occurring interactions and the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenesis, symbiosis, and resistance. The advent of synthetic biology brings a transformative edge, empowering researchers to consciously reprogram these interactions. This innovative field allows for the design and construction of synthetic genetic circuits, reengineered signaling pathways, and microbial or viral agents with tailored traits. Coupled with advances in biosensors and sensing systems, these technologies can enable real-time monitoring and dynamic control of plant-associated microbiomes and viral interactions. These advances can pave the way for developing disease-resistant crops, enhancing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, or crafting beneficial viral vectors. With breakthroughs in genome editing, chassis engineering, biosensor integration, and systems biology, there exists an unprecedented opportunity to manipulate plant-microbe-virus networks, addressing key concerns in food security, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable agriculture.


This Research Topic aims to bring together leading-edge contributions examining synthetic biology and sensor-based strategies to engineer plant-microbe-virus interactions. We invite original research articles, methods, reviews, and perspectives that delve into synthetic genetic circuits designed to modulate plant immunity, engineered microbes or viruses purposed for crop protection or enhancement, and genome editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas that target plant-microbe-virus relationships. Research into biosensors for monitoring synthetic organism performance, chassis development for synthetic endophytes or viral vectors, alongside systems or computational biology methods for modeling these complex interactions, is encouraged. Additionally, manuscripts addressing biosafety, regulatory, and socio-economic factors related to the deployment of synthetic and sensor-equipped organisms in agro-ecosystems, and proof-of-concept studies in model or crop plants, are especially valuable. Interdisciplinary approaches uniting synthetic biology, plant pathology, virology, microbiology, sensor engineering, and bioengineering are highly esteemed.

To gather further insights into the engineering of plant-microbe-virus interactions through synthetic biology and sensing technologies, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Synthetic genetic circuits for modulating plant immunity

• Engineered microbes or viruses for crop protection or enhancement

• Genome editing technologies targeting plant-microbe-virus relationships

• Chassis development for synthetic endophytes or viral vectors

• Biosensors for detection and control of engineered interactions

• Systems or computational biology approaches for modeling interactions

Integrating foundational synthetic biology with real-time sensing and practical applications, this collection aims to inform future strategies for creating resilient, sustainable, and high-yield agroecosystems. We aim to illuminate innovative methodologies, address practical challenges, and examine the ecological, safety, and societal implications of deploying engineered and sensor-enabled organisms, thereby fostering dialogue and insight into the future of agricultural biotechnology.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Synthetic Biology, Plant-Microbe-Virus Interactions, Biosensors, Genome Editing, Agro-Ecosystem Engineering

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.