Metagenomics and Microbial Dynamics: Unraveling the Complexity of Environmental Ecosystems

Microbial physiology and metabolism are crucial components of environmental ecosystems, playing a vital role in driving essential biochemical processes. These microorganisms act as unseen engines that ensure ecosystem health and sustainability. The rise of metagenomics and cutting-edge sequencing technologies has enabled researchers to examine the physiological and metabolic roles of intricate microbial communities within their natural settings. Recent studies have revealed the diverse metabolic potential and complex functional pathways within these communities, further highlighting their significant contributions to ecosystem functions.This Research Topic seeks to explore how metagenomic and multi-omics approaches are transforming our understanding of microbial physiology and metabolism across various environments. This initiative focuses on critical aspects such as the metabolic potential of microbial communities, adaptive physiology under changing conditions, novel discoveries of enzymes and metabolic networks, and the interplay between microbial metabolism and biogeochemical cycles. Despite significant advancements, several questions remain regarding the depth of these interactions and their impact on ecosystems subjected to anthropogenic impacts. Emerging technologies like single-cell genomics and spatial transcriptomics are transforming microbial research by allowing high-resolution analysis of individual cells and their spatial context. When combined with traditional metagenomics and multi-omics methods, these tools provide deeper insight into the structure and interactions of microbial communities.To gather further insights into the role of microbial metabolism in ecosystems, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o The metabolic potential and functional pathways of environmental microbial communitieso Adaptive physiology and metabolic responses to changing environmental conditionso Innovative enzymes and metabolic strategies driving energy transfer and ecological interactions revealed by metagenomicso Interactions between microbial metabolic functions and biogeochemical cycleso Combining metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics, and metabolomics to understand microbial roles in ecologyo Application of single-cell genomics and spatial transcriptomics to understand microbial functions and their roles in ecosystem structure and diversityo The influence of microbial metabolism on ecosystem stability, resilience, and anthropogenic impactsWe welcome submissions that integrate molecular microbiology, systems biology, and environmental sciences to clarify the metabolic functions and ecological roles of microbial populations within diverse ecosystems.The Research Topic does not consider studies solely based on amplicon profiles, unless they provide insight into the microbiological system or process being studied with a clear hypothesis and experimentation. Topic editors: Ricardo Jasso-Chávez, Bing-Mu Hsu, Víctor Manuel Ruíz-Valdiviezo Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/73396/metagenomics-and-microbial-dynamics-unraveling-the-complexity-of-environmental-ecosystems