Next-Generation Vaccines and Therapeutics for Tropical Diseases: Integrating Omics, Single-Cell Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Global South Innovation

Tropical diseases remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and regions of the Global South. Despite considerable progress in infectious disease research, many tropical pathogens, including arboviruses, parasitic organisms, neglected tropical disease agents, and emerging zoonotic viruses, continue to lack effective vaccines or therapeutics. Recent advances in multi-omics, single-cell technologies, structural biology, and artificial intelligence (AI) have transformed our ability to investigate host–pathogen interactions, identify vaccine antigens and drug targets, and accelerate translational research. However, integrating these cutting-edge technologies into practical solutions that address the unique epidemiological, economic, and healthcare challenges of tropical regions remains a significant challenge. Bridging this gap requires interdisciplinary collaboration that combines technological innovation with implementation strategies tailored to the needs and priorities of affected populations.This Research Topic aims to highlight innovative approaches that accelerate the discovery, development, and translation of vaccines and therapeutics for tropical diseases. We seek to bring together research that integrates multi-omics, single-cell technologies, artificial intelligence, immunoinformatics, computational biology, and experimental validation to advance vaccine antigen discovery, therapeutic target identification, biomarker development, and precision intervention strategies. Particular emphasis will be placed on studies addressing neglected tropical diseases, arboviral infections, parasitic diseases, zoonotic pathogens, and emerging infectious diseases relevant to the Global South.Beyond technological advances, this collection also aims to address the translational challenges that often limit implementation in endemic regions, including scalable manufacturing, clinical evaluation, regulatory pathways, affordability, equitable access, and regional research capacity. By fostering collaboration among basic scientists, clinicians, computational biologists, public health researchers, and industry partners, this Research Topic seeks to promote practical, evidence-based solutions that support sustainable innovation and strengthen preparedness for current and future tropical disease threats.This Research Topic welcomes submissions covering all aspects of next-generation vaccine and therapeutic development for tropical diseases. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, multi-omics and single-cell analyses, immunoinformatics, structural vaccinology, reverse vaccinology, artificial intelligence and machine learning applications, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, systems biology, host–pathogen interactions, biomarker discovery, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, natural product-based therapeutics, biologics, drug repurposing, and precision medicine. We also encourage studies addressing preclinical models, vaccine delivery platforms, clinical development, implementation science, regulatory considerations, manufacturing strategies, and equitable access in LMICs and the Global South. We welcome Original Research, Review Articles, Mini Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Methods, Perspective articles, Brief Research Reports, and Opinion papers that provide novel scientific insights or translational advances relevant to tropical infectious diseases. Topic editors: Arif Nur Muhammad Ansori, Anand Gaurav, Nitin Sharma, Arli Aditya Parikesit, Supasek Kongsomros Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84528/next-generation-vaccines-and-therapeutics-for-tropical-diseases-integrating-omics-single-cell-technologies-artificial-intelligence-and-global-south-innovation