From Genomes to Neurons: ‘Omics Resources and Discovery in Non-Traditional Models

High-throughput sequencing has democratized genomic research, enabling investigators to generate comprehensive 'omics datasets for virtually any species. Yet the development and curation of robust genomic and transcriptomic resources for non-traditional model organisms remains a significant challenge. Unlike established models such as Drosophila, C. elegans, or Mus musculus, many taxa with extraordinary biological traits, from cave-adapted species with convergent sensory evolution to marine invertebrates with remarkable neural plasticity, still lack well-annotated reference genomes, standardized transcriptomic atlases, or computational pipelines tailored to their biology. Bridging this gap is essential for unlocking comparative and evolutionary approaches to fundamental questions in genetics and neuroscience.

This Research Topic invites contributions focused on the generation, refinement and application of genomic and transcriptomic resources in non-traditional model organisms. We are especially interested in studies that combine genomic assay technologies with comparative, evolutionary or functional approaches to neurogenomics. Relevant themes include, but are not limited to, sensory system evolution, neural circuit development, neuroendocrine regulation, nervous system adaptation, and the genomic basis of phenotypic innovation.

Alongside original research and methodological contributions, we explicitly welcome review articles, mini reviews, perspectives and hypothesis-driven syntheses. Reviews that integrate classical morphology, developmental biology, physiology, behavior, ecology and emerging genomic evidence are particularly encouraged.

We welcome contributions in the following areas:

Resource development and methodology
- We encourage submissions presenting new or improved reference genomes, transcriptomes and functional annotations for emerging model organisms. Contributions may also include single-cell or spatial transcriptomic datasets, improved gene models, comparative annotation resources, curated databases, reproducible workflows, and bioinformatic tools. Studies adapting or optimizing assays such as HCR, ATAC-seq, bisulfite sequencing, long-read sequencing, Hi-C, single-cell RNA-seq or spatial transcriptomics for challenging systems are also within scope.

Comparative and evolutionary genomics
- We welcome studies using phylogenomic, comparative, co-evolutionary or network-based approaches to identify conserved and lineage-specific genomic features. This includes gene family evolution, regulatory innovation, convergent evolution, genome architecture, gene expression evolution and the molecular basis of independently evolved traits. Meta-analyses and comparative syntheses that integrate data across taxa to identify shared principles of genome evolution, nervous system organization or adaptation are particularly encouraged.

Nervous systems of non-traditional model organisms
- We particularly encourage review and synthesis articles examining the diversity, evolution and function of nervous systems in non-traditional model organisms. Suitable topics include the organization of nervous systems in understudied lineages, the evolution of sensory structures, neural adaptations to extreme environments, comparative analyses of neuroendocrine regulation, nervous system miniaturization or elaboration, neural plasticity, regeneration, and the relationship between nervous system architecture, ecology and behavior. Conceptual and comparative contributions are welcome, provided they clearly identify knowledge gaps and future directions.

We are equally interested in work showing how newly developed resources enable discovery, and in findings from non-traditional models that complement classical systems and broaden understanding of gene function, regulatory mechanisms, disease processes or nervous system evolution. By highlighting how investment in genomic infrastructure accelerates discovery of broad relevance to genetics and neuroscience, this Research Topic encourages submissions spanning invertebrate and vertebrate systems, aquatic and terrestrial environments, and laboratory and field-based approaches.

Article types and fees

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

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• ... 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
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: non-traditional model organisms, reference genome, single-cell transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics, neurogenomics, nervous system adaptation

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.