Innovations in systems biology and bioinformatics, towards integration, transparency, and sustainable data stewardship: insights from ECCB 2026

Computational biology and bioinformatics are undergoing a pivotal transformation as research moves beyond discipline-specific datasets to embrace integrative, systems-level approaches. Emerging technologies in sequencing, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, imaging, and genome editing now enable unprecedented resolution and breadth, while artificial intelligence and mechanistic modelling have enhanced our ability to extract insights from these complex data. Central to ECCB 2026 are five core areas that exemplify these advances: genomics, epigenomics and genome editing; transcriptomics and gene regulation; proteins and structural biology; systems biology, multi-omics integration and modelling; and biodiversity, sustainability, and environmental bioinformatics.
Despite these advances, critical challenges remain: how to capture the interplay between molecular and environmental factors, to uncover causal mechanisms within biological networks, and to deliver reproducible, interpretable results that drive real-world progress in health, biotechnology, and environmental stewardship. A key component of meeting these challenges is ensuring data interoperability, transparency, and accessibility by adhering to the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) Principles. There is increasing recognition of the value of open perspectives and collaborative data sharing; contributors are encouraged to share primary and derived data in accordance with FAIR standards, with the option to utilize the Frontiers FAIR² platform to maximize dataset visibility, utility, and impact.
Recent landmark studies have demonstrated the value of crossing traditional boundaries, integrating multi-modal data, and iteratively validating computational predictions through experiment and application. Still, major questions remain about how best to integrate and interpret such diverse data, standardize workflows, ensure transferability across biological contexts, and translate discoveries into practical outcomes. With growing societal and biomedical demand for sustainable solutions, there is a clear need for research that connects technical innovation to biological impact, and that unites the diverse domains present at ECCB 2026.
This Research Topic aims to foster innovative, interdisciplinary contributions that advance both computational methods and systems-level biological understanding. We seek studies that develop or apply integrative analytic approaches; combine or compare data modalities; build or benchmark novel workflows; or model and predict complex biological, ecological, or environmental phenomena across scales. The primary objective is to cultivate a forum at the interface of bioinformatics and systems biology, capturing the full diversity and impact of ECCB 2026.
To gather further insights across all ECCB 2026 scientific areas, submissions may focus on individual domains or span multiple fields, but should emphasize integration, generalizability, and reproducibility. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Computational genomics, epigenomics, and genome editing, including CRISPR screen analysis and population genomics
- Transcriptomics, regulatory genomics, RNA processing, and single-cell or spatial omics
- Protein structure, dynamics, interactions, computational proteomics, and structural modelling
- Multi-omics and imaging integration, network inference, and systems modelling across biological scales
- Biodiversity, ecological networks, conservation genomics, metagenomics, phylogenomics, and environmental bioinformatics
- Benchmarking studies, workflow interoperability, data standards, digital atlases, and reproducibility frameworks
- Applications in health, biotechnology, agriculture, sustainability, or ecology, including modelling of perturbations and prediction of biological responses
- Community resources such as software tools, databases, curated datasets, and pipelines; explainable and trustworthy AI approaches
- Perspectives on data sharing, interoperability, and implementation of FAIR Principles, with the opportunity to utilize Frontiers FAIR² for dataset publication and dissemination

We invite original research articles, methods papers, brief research reports, reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives, and resource contributions. Submissions should clearly articulate computational novelty and biological relevance, with open code, data availability, and transparent benchmarking strongly encouraged. Both single-area and integrative cross-disciplinary studies are welcome, reflecting the collaborative ethos of ECCB 2026.

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
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... 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
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Specialty Grand Challenge
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Computational biology, Bioinformatics, Systems biology, ECCB, ECCB 2026, Multi-omics integration, FAIR, FAIR2, Data sharing, Genomics, Epigenomics, Transcriptomics, Proteomics, Structural biology, Artificial intelligence, AI, Modelling, Reproducibility, W

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.