Next-Generation Strategies for Zoonotic Vaccine Development

Zoonotic vaccines form an essential frontier in infectious disease prevention, bridging the gap between human and animal health. Zoonotic diseases, caused by pathogens that transmit across species barriers, continue to pose persistent and significant threats to global health, animal welfare, and the stability of food systems. The recurrent emergence of viral agents like rabies and SARS-CoV-2, resilient bacterial pathogens such as Brucella spp. and Mycobacterium bovis, as well as complex parasitic and fungal infections, underscores the need for proactive vaccine solutions. Recent research highlights the urgency of addressing these threats due to their epidemic and pandemic potential. While significant advancements in understanding zoonotic disease mechanisms have been made, key questions remain on how to efficiently generate broadly protective, scalable vaccines that are accessible worldwide, particularly in resource-limited regions.

Momentum in zoonotic vaccine development has accelerated with the advent of synthetic biology, artificial intelligence-driven antigen design, and innovative immunoengineering strategies. These technologies enable a paradigm shift—facilitating rapid pathogen sequence analysis, rational antigen discovery, and the production of highly stable mRNA, DNA, and recombinant protein-based vaccines. Emerging tools also enhance thermostability and support novel delivery methods, including oral and mucosal routes, crucial for marginal and underserved populations. However, translating these advances into globally deployable vaccines remains challenging, as barriers persist in supply chains, cold storage requirements, and equitable distribution. Ongoing debates revolve around optimizing these new platforms for real-world effectiveness and adaptation to future zoonotic threats.

This Research Topic aims to highlight and advance the latest scientific developments that are transforming the landscape of zoonotic vaccine technology. By bringing together multidisciplinary studies and perspectives, the goal is to deepen understanding of novel vaccine platforms, innovative antigen discovery pipelines, and the integration of enabling technologies to close critical gaps in preparedness and outbreak response. Contributors are encouraged to address the impact of these innovations on vaccine efficacy, accessibility, regulatory pathways, and ethical considerations in both veterinary and human health contexts.

To gather further insights into the evolving landscape of zoonotic vaccine research and development, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Technological drivers of next-generation zoonotic vaccine development (synthetic biology, AI, and bioinformatics)
- Strategies for rational antigen design and improved immunogenicity
- Advances in mRNA, DNA, peptide, and recombinant protein vaccine platforms
- Innovations in vaccine thermostability, manufacturing, and delivery modes
- Overcoming challenges in accessibility, global distribution, and cold-chain dependence
- Ethical, regulatory, and economic considerations in deploying zoonotic vaccines
- Lessons learned from recent and ongoing zoonotic disease outbreaks

Article types and fees

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

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... 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:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Vaccine, zoonotic, pandemic, antigens, mRNA, DNA, recombinant proteins

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.