Understanding Microbial Interactions Within the Rumen Symbiotic Ecosystem

The rumen is one of the most striking examples of host–microbiome symbiosis in ruminant animals. Through intricate microbe–microbe and host–microbe interactions, this multi-kingdom consortium governs nutrient digestion, energy metabolism, immune regulation, and resistance to invading microorganisms, making the rumen a natural model system for studying the ecology and evolution of complex symbiotic partnerships. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing, multi-omics technologies, and computational biology have greatly expanded our understanding of rumen microbiome composition and functional potential across ruminant species. However, most studies remain focused on describing community composition and diversity, while the mechanisms through which microbial interactions shape rumen community stability, functional capacity, and adaptation to dietary and environmental change remain poorly understood. This Research Topic aims to advance rumen microbiome research beyond descriptive analyses of community composition toward a mechanistic understanding of microbial interactions within this symbiotic ecosystem. We seek studies investigating microbe–microbe and host–microbe interaction networks in the rumen, their ecological and evolutionary mechanisms, and their roles in fiber degradation, nutrient metabolism, immune regulation, and host physiological communication. Contributions employing innovative approaches, such as multi-omics, culturomics, ecological network analysis, computational modeling, and experimental (including gnotobiotic or synthetic consortium) validation, are particularly encouraged to uncover the biological significance of microbial interactions in the rumen symbiosis.We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, and Opinions addressing microbe–microbe and host–microbe interactions in ruminants, including, but not limited to:o Co-diversification and specificity across ruminant host species;o Rumen microbial community assembly, ecological networks, and metabolic cross-feeding;o Mechanisms underlying host–microbe recognition and symbiotic establishment in the developing rumen (e.g., from pre-ruminant to mature rumen function);o Interactions between the rumen microbiome and host physiology, including gut–organ communication beyond the rumen itself;o Multi-omics, culturomics, computational modeling, and experimental approaches (including gnotobiotic and synthetic microbial consortium models) for studying rumen symbiotic interactions. Topic editors: Jiyou Zhang, Abdulmumini B. Amin, Xiaoge Sun Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85206/understanding-microbial-interactions-within-the-rumen-symbiotic-ecosystem