Decoding Molecular and Genomic Interactions between Plant and Obligate Parasitic Pathogens

Plant–pathogen interactions represent one of the most intricate and dynamic interfaces in biology. Obligate parasitic pathogens—including rust fungi, powdery mildews, downy mildews, and biotrophic oomycetes—pose persistent threats to global food security due to their exclusive dependence on living host tissues and their sophisticated mechanisms for immune evasion. Unlike necrotrophic pathogens, obligate biotrophs must maintain host cell viability while simultaneously suppressing immunity and redirecting host metabolism to support their own growth, making them particularly challenging to study and control. Despite significant advances, the molecular and genomic underpinnings of how these pathogens establish infection, suppress host immunity, and co-evolve with their hosts remain incompletely understood.This Research Topic aims to advance fundamental and applied understanding of the molecular and genomic mechanisms underlying plant–pathogen interactions, with particular emphasis on obligate parasitic pathogens. The goal is to illuminate the multilayered communication networks between plants and pathogens, identify novel virulence and defense determinants, and foster translational strategies for breeding disease-resistant crops. This includes exploring how pathogens deploy effectors to reprogram host immunity, how plants evolve countermeasures through dynamic immune signaling systems, and how these interactions can be leveraged through biotechnological tools such as CRISPR-based functional assays and predictive computational frameworks.To gather further insights into the complex landscape of molecular cross-talk between plants and obligate pathogens, we welcome contributions that encompass a range of experimental and computational approaches. Articles within this Research Topic may focus, but are not limited to, the following themes:• Molecular determinants of pathogenicity and virulence, including effector biology, susceptibility (S) genes, secondary metabolites, and their roles in host target manipulation• Host immune recognition and signaling: PRR- and NLR-mediated pathogen perception, signal transduction networks, and hormonal regulation of resistance and susceptibility• Epigenetic and post-transcriptional regulation of virulence and defense, including the role of long non-coding RNAs• Comparative and functional genomics: evolution of virulence genes, genome plasticity, transposable elements, and pathogenicity islands• Multi-omics approaches to host–pathogen interactions: dual RNA-seq, proteomic profiling, and metabolomic reprogramming during compatible and incompatible interactions• Computational and predictive frameworks: machine learning and AI, GWAS for disease resistance, and modeling of host–pathogen co-evolution and epidemic emergence• CRISPR/Cas-based functional genomics and synthetic biology tools to dissect plant–pathogen interactionsThis Research Topic aims to deepen our mechanistic and genomic understanding of plant–pathogen interactions and their implications for durable disease resistance. It seeks to elucidate how molecular determinants of pathogenicity and virulence interact with the host immune system, focusing on effector biology, receptor-mediated recognition, and signal transduction pathways. Integrating comparative genomics, transcriptomics, and molecular physiology, the goal is to identify key genetic and biochemical drivers of resistance and susceptibility. By fostering interdisciplinary exchange across molecular plant pathology, genomics, and bioinformatics, this Research Topic will generate a more comprehensive framework for breeding and biotechnological innovations in sustainable plant disease management.This Research Topic will encompass studies that explore the molecular and genomic dimensions of host–pathogen interactions while encouraging integrative, multi-omics approaches. To gather further insights into plant defense and pathogen virulence mechanisms, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Molecular determinants of pathogenicity and virulence in plant pathogenso Effector biology: structure, delivery, and host target manipulationo Host receptor-mediated pathogen recognition (PRRs, NLRs, and novel receptors)o Signal transduction networks in immune activation and suppressiono Comparative genomics of pathogens and the evolution of virulence geneso Dual RNA-seq for simultaneous profiling of host and pathogen responseso Hormonal regulation of resistance and susceptibility pathwayso Genome-wide association studies for disease resistance gene identificationWe welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, short communications, and methodological papers that contribute novel insights or tools integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics toward understanding and managing plant Topic editors: Pramod Prasad, Anjali Joshi, Sneha Adhikari, Amarjeet Kumar, Gautam Saripalli Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80422/decoding-molecular-and-genomic-interactions-between-plant-and-obligate-parasitic-pathogens