Cellular and Molecular Dynamics Across Mycorrhizal Interactions Using Model Systems

Research on mycorrhizal interactions has revealed these symbioses as foundational drivers of ecosystem function, nutrient cycling, and plant health. Mycorrhizas, formed through intricate cellular and molecular communication between fungi and plant hosts, are recognized as key contributors to plant productivity and biodiversity worldwide. Despite a long history of study, the molecular machinery and cellular events orchestrating these interactions remain deeply complex and only partially resolved, complicated further by the remarkable diversity of mycorrhizal associations such as arbuscular, ectomycorrhizal, orchid, and ericoid symbioses. Recent technological advances in genomics, high-resolution cell biology, and symbiotic signaling have started to shed light on both conserved and divergent strategies underlying these relationships, sparking renewed efforts to map their evolutionary trajectories and functional impacts.This Research Topic aims to showcase innovative studies that unravel the cellular and molecular underpinnings of mycorrhizal symbioses, particularly via insights derived from model systems. A central goal is to clarify how signaling pathways, nutrient transport, cellular remodeling, and genetic networks coordinate the establishment and maintenance of diverse mycorrhizal types. Comparative approaches are especially encouraged to reveal how evolutionary pressures have shaped convergent or divergent mechanisms across different plant-fungal partnerships. We also seek contributions that highlight translational research and biotechnological applications addressing sustainable agriculture, ecosystem resilience, and adaptation to environmental change.This Research Topic is focused on mechanistic, comparative, and application-oriented explorations of mycorrhizal interactions, with boundaries encompassing molecular, cellular, genetic, and evolutionary investigations using model systems. We welcome contributions, including but not limited to, the following themes:o Signal perception, transduction, and communication in mycorrhizal symbioseso Comparative genetic and genomic analyses of arbuscular, ectomycorrhizal, orchid, and ericoid interactionso Cellular remodeling and nutrient exchange dynamicso Evolutionary trajectories and functional convergence/divergence in mycorrhizal strategieso Symbiosis-driven plant fitness, stress tolerance, and ecological outcomeso Biotechnological and translational perspectives for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem restorationo Development and use of model systems to dissect mycorrhizal mechanisms Topic editors: Jonathan Michael Plett, Andrea Genre Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78725/cellular-and-molecular-dynamics-across-mycorrhizal-interactions-using-model-systems