Metagenomics and Microbial Dynamics: Unraveling the Complexity of Environmental Ecosystems

Microbial physiology and metabolism are crucial components of environmental ecosystems, playing a vital role in driving essential biochemical processes. These microorganisms act as unseen engines that ensure ecosystem health and sustainability. The rise of metagenomics and cutting-edge sequencing technologies has enabled researchers to examine the physiological and metabolic roles of intricate microbial communities within their natural settings. Recent studies have revealed the diverse metabolic potential and complex functional pathways within these communities, further highlighting their significant contributions to ecosystem functions.

This Research Topic seeks to explore how metagenomic and multi-omics approaches are transforming our understanding of microbial physiology and metabolism across various environments. This initiative focuses on critical aspects such as the metabolic potential of microbial communities, adaptive physiology under changing conditions, novel discoveries of enzymes and metabolic networks, and the interplay between microbial metabolism and biogeochemical cycles. Despite significant advancements, several questions remain regarding the depth of these interactions and their impact on ecosystems subjected to anthropogenic impacts. Emerging technologies like single-cell genomics and spatial transcriptomics are transforming microbial research by allowing high-resolution analysis of individual cells and their spatial context. When combined with traditional metagenomics and multi-omics methods, these tools provide deeper insight into the structure and interactions of microbial communities.

To gather further insights into the role of microbial metabolism in ecosystems, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o The metabolic potential and functional pathways of environmental microbial communities
o Adaptive physiology and metabolic responses to changing environmental conditions
o Innovative enzymes and metabolic strategies driving energy transfer and ecological interactions revealed by metagenomics
o Interactions between microbial metabolic functions and biogeochemical cycles
o Combining metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics, and metabolomics to understand microbial roles in ecology
o Application of single-cell genomics and spatial transcriptomics to understand microbial functions and their roles in ecosystem structure and diversity
o The influence of microbial metabolism on ecosystem stability, resilience, and anthropogenic impacts

We welcome submissions that integrate molecular microbiology, systems biology, and environmental sciences to clarify the metabolic functions and ecological roles of microbial populations within diverse ecosystems.

The Research Topic does not consider studies solely based on amplicon profiles, unless they provide insight into the microbiological system or process being studied with a clear hypothesis and experimentation.

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: microbial physiology, microbial metabolism, environmental metagenomics, metabolic networks, functional ecology, community metabolism, biogeochemical cycling, multi-omics

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.