Surface Chemistry and Wettability in Chemical Ecology: Interfaces Shaping Ecological Interactions

The field of chemical ecology investigates the chemical mediators and interactions that facilitate communication and coexistence within and between species, as well as the environment. While decades of research have elucidated the molecular identities of chemical signals and their perception via specialized pathways, there is an increasing recognition that chemical signals do not act in isolation from their physical context. In particular, the integration of advances from surface/interface chemistry is becoming increasingly important for understanding chemical ecological phenomena. Instead, the properties of ecological surfaces, including their chemistry and wettability, crucially dictate how these molecules are retained, transported, and made available at key (non)-biological interfaces. Recent studies highlight that surface energy, nano/microstructure(s), and (super)hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity can affect phenomena ranging from the adhesion of microbial communities to plant leaves, to how pheromones persist within insect cuticles, and the ability of spores to disperse and colonize new environments. Yet, the specific mechanisms by which physicochemical surface properties shape and/or modulate ecological chemical processes remain underexplored, despite mounting evidence of their impact(s).This Research Topic aims to bridge the knowledge gap between surface interface science and chemical ecology by elucidating how surface chemistry and wettability influence the fate and function of ecologically relevant chemical signals. We aim to highlight innovative research at the frontier between fundamental and applied aspects of chemical mediation, spanning all levels of biological organization and ecological complexity. By focusing on multi-scale mechanisms, ranging from molecular adsorption and transport at interfaces, to population-level ecological consequences, this collection seeks to integrate advances in surface science, materials chemistry, and experimental chemical ecology. Investigations may address how tuning surface properties modulates biological communication, the strategies organisms use to manipulate their own surface interfaces, and novel methodological frameworks for quantifying chemical interactions at natural and engineered bio-interfaces.To gather further insights in the interplay between surface chemistry, wettability, and eco-chemical interactions, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:-Mechanisms underlying the modulation of chemical signal retention, transport, and/or degradation at ecological interfaces-Influence of surface morphology and composition on organism-surface and multi-organism interaction(s)-Dynamic wettability and adaptive surface properties in ecological context(s)-Development and utilization of novel functional materials that mimic or engineer ecological interface(s)-Quantitative and theoretical approaches linking surface physicochemistry with chemical signaling and ecological outcome(s)-Methodological advances in visualizing or measuring interfacial chemical communication(s)-Comparative studies across taxa and/or ecosystems that highlight convergent or divergent surface strategiesWe encourage interdisciplinary and cross-scale studies that combine chemical, ecological, evolutionary, and/or molecular approaches to investigate the ecological and evolutionary relevance of surface-mediated chemical interaction(s). Topic editors: Lishen Zhang, Hongxing Zhang Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78556/surface-chemistry-and-wettability-in-chemical-ecology-interfaces-shaping-ecological-interactions