About this Research Topic
This special issue of the research journal aims to explore the application of omics techniques for studying fungal pathogen-plant interactions. While previous research in this field has predominantly focused on understanding plant responses to fungal pathogens, this special issue seeks to broaden the scope by emphasizing the importance of studying fungal pathogens. By leveraging multi-omics approaches, researchers can shed light on the reciprocal changes occurring in the fungal pathogen and the host plant, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the intricate molecular dialogues shaping pathogen-plant interactions. Such insights are essential for improving crop protection and developing holistic and integrated approaches to disease management, safeguarding the health and well-being of all ecosystem components.
Fungal pathogens threaten agricultural productivity and plant health, resulting in substantial economic losses worldwide. Understanding the complex molecular interactions between fungal pathogens and their host plants is crucial for developing effective disease management strategies. Omics technologies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, have revolutionized the field of plant pathology by providing comprehensive insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions. Multi-omics profiling has emerged as a powerful strategy for studying the metabolic responses occurring in both the pathogen and the host during infection, enabling the discovery of key metabolites, biochemical pathways, and molecular interactions involved in plant defense and fungal virulence.
Researchers are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, or perspectives that highlight the following aspects:
1) Metabolomic profiling of fungal pathogens. Contributions focusing on the metabolomic analysis of fungal pathogens, including their secondary metabolites and virulence factors, to understand their pathogenicity mechanisms better. This includes studies investigating how specific metabolites' production and regulation influence fungal pathogens' ability to infect and colonise plant tissues.
2) Multi-omics integration for holistic insights. Research papers describing the integration of metabolomics with other Omic techniques, such as genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, provide a comprehensive understanding of interconnected regulatory networks governing host-pathogen metabolic crosstalk.
3) Omics-guided strategies for disease management: Contributions discussing the translation of omics-based discoveries into practical applications for disease management, including identifying metabolic targets for developing novel antifungal agents, utilising omics to guide crop breeding and selection, or developing omics-based diagnostic tools for early detection and monitoring of fungal pathogens.
Fungal pathogens threaten agricultural productivity and plant health, resulting in substantial economic losses worldwide. Understanding the complex molecular interactions between fungal pathogens and their host plants is crucial for developing effective disease management strategies. Omics technologies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, have revolutionized the field of plant pathology by providing comprehensive insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions. Multi-omics profiling has emerged as a powerful strategy for studying the metabolic responses occurring in both the pathogen and the host during infection, enabling the discovery of key metabolites, biochemical pathways, and molecular interactions involved in plant defense and fungal virulence.
Researchers are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, or perspectives that highlight the following aspects:
1) Metabolomic profiling of fungal pathogens. Contributions focusing on the metabolomic analysis of fungal pathogens, including their secondary metabolites and virulence factors, to understand their pathogenicity mechanisms better. This includes studies investigating how specific metabolites' production and regulation influence fungal pathogens' ability to infect and colonise plant tissues.
2) Multi-omics integration for holistic insights. Research papers describing the integration of metabolomics with other Omic techniques, such as genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, provide a comprehensive understanding of interconnected regulatory networks governing host-pathogen metabolic crosstalk.
3) Omics-guided strategies for disease management: Contributions discussing the translation of omics-based discoveries into practical applications for disease management, including identifying metabolic targets for developing novel antifungal agents, utilising omics to guide crop breeding and selection, or developing omics-based diagnostic tools for early detection and monitoring of fungal pathogens.
Keywords: Pathogen-plant interactions, fungi, omics, fungal virulence
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.
