Advances in Co-Culture and Mixed-Culture Systems for Sustainable Industrial Microbiology

Biotechnology and industrial microbiology have witnessed significant transformations with the advent of co-culture and mixed-culture systems. Unlike traditional monocultures, co/mixed cultures leverage the synergistic capabilities of multiple microbial species to realize enhanced product yields, improved process stability, and the bioconversion of complex or recalcitrant feedstocks. Recent studies highlight the potential of these systems to address challenges in waste valorization, bioremediation, and sustainable chemical production. Despite these advances, several hurdles remain, particularly in community stability, scale-up processes, reproducibility, and process control. Moreover, integrating advanced monitoring, predictive modeling, and data-driven process optimization approaches is increasingly essential for effective industrial application.This Research Topic aims to present recent breakthroughs and conceptual innovations that are advancing the industrial viability of co-culture and mixed-culture technologies. We seek to bridge the gap between fundamental microbial ecology and its practical deployment in industry. In addition to experimental and engineering solutions, we warmly welcome papers exploring the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, for example in process optimization, predictive modeling, and community dynamics analysis, among other topics relevant to co/mixed culture applications. We also welcome diverse target substrates and products. The overarching objective is to highlight approaches that drive measurable improvement in performance, scalability, and sustainability—whether by harnessing natural interactions or deploying sophisticated computational tools.This Research Topic encourages submissions covering a broad but defined range of themes relating to the development and application of co- and mixed-culture systems in industrial biotechnology. Reports should focus on approaches, methods, or technologies that have clear implications for industrial settings and demonstrate quantitative assessment where possible. We particularly invite articles on the following themes:• Industrial bioprocesses utilizing defined co-cultures or consortia for chemical, fuel, enzyme, or biomaterial production• Process engineering advances for co/mixed cultures, including scale-up, reactor design, and operational strategies• AI and machine learning applications for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing co/mixed culture processes• New methods for i) microbial community design, ii) metabolic division of labor, or iii) stability engineering• Systems and synthetic biology tools for analysis, modeling, and manipulation of mixed communities• Case studies on non-conventional feedstocks, waste valorization, or resilience to environmental fluctuations• Co/mixed cultures leveraged for biominingAuthors should provide clear descriptions of the co- or mixed-culture system, report relevant process or performance metrics, and, where possible, compare results against monoculture benchmarks. Submissions may include original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, methods papers, or short communications. Topic editors: Ryan Christopher Tappel, Luke McKay, Andrea Firrincieli Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78445/advances-in-co-culture-and-mixed-culture-systems-for-sustainable-industrial-microbiology