About this Research Topic

Background

The study of microbiomes, whether associated with hosts or not, holds significant importance for multiple reasons. For example, the human microbiome, which consists of trillions of microbes living in and on our bodies, influences various aspects of our physiology, metabolism, and immunity. Understanding the composition and function of these microbial communities can help identify the role of specific microbes in diseases and find new ways to diagnose, prevent, or treat conditions such as obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and mental health disorders. Moreover, microbes play a vital role in ecosystem functioning, participating in nutrient cycling, decomposition, and energy flow. Gaining insights into the processes that drive ecosystem stability, resilience, and productivity is important as this knowledge enables effective ecosystem management, preservation, comprehension of environmental change impacts, and anticipation of responses to disturbances.

Given the critical role that microbes play in various aspects of our lives, it is crucial to understand the composition of a healthy microbiome and tackle the challenges associated with its maintenance. This pursuit has emerged as a pivotal endeavour within the field. In response to this pressing need, the Slovenian Microbiome Network Symposium 2023 has been crafted to foster meaningful discussions and collaborations among researchers and professionals invested in the diverse applications of microbiome research. The symposium's central theme, "Defining a Healthy Microbiome," aims to highlight the latest advancements in analytical or theoretical approaches to understanding what constitutes a healthy microbiome and identifying commonalities in the composition and function of healthy microbiomes. Scheduled between November 30 and December 1, 2023, the symposium will bring together experts from diverse fields to discuss the concept of a healthy microbiome, emphasizing interdisciplinarity and collaboration.

In this special issue, we aim to thoroughly explore the intricate aspects of host-microbiome interactions, microbial diversity, and ecosystem dynamics, with the ultimate goal of shedding light on potential universal principles governing a healthy microbiome. We welcome participants of the Slovenian Microbiome Network Symposium 2023 and others to submit all types of manuscripts, including original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, and methodologies, and encourage submissions covering, but not limited to, the following themes:

● Defining and establishing a baseline that can serve as a reference point for comparisons with microbiomes associated with various diseases or imbalances in ecosystem functioning.

● Gain insights into the microbial signatures or dysbiotic features that may contribute to disease development or failure in ecosystem functioning.

● Understanding how specific microbial functions contribute to overall well-being.

● Identify the core microbial functions and species that are consistently associated with human or plant health and with resilient, diverse ecosystems capable of delivering important ecosystem services to society, regardless of individual differences or environmental conditions.

● Identify potential beneficial microorganisms or microbial consortia that can be used in targeted therapies or discover new mechanistic approaches to modulate the microbiome and restore a healthy state.

Keywords: Healthy microbiome, microbial diversity, host-associate microbiomes, environmental microbiomes, disease, ecosystem stability

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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