About this Research Topic
The phycosphere region surrounding microalgal cells is the epicenter of intricate and complex interactions between heterotrophic microbes and microalgae, ranging from mutualism to competition. These interactions, driven by the primary production and release of organic matter by microalgae, involve networks of diverse metabolites that determine the nature of microbial interactions. Such interactions impact the physiology of the organisms involved and drive major nutrient cycling in both natural and engineered systems. For instance, phycospheric microbes may enhance the growth of microalgae, bolstering their industrial applications.
Technological advances in characterizing and understanding the metabolic capabilities of associated microorganisms have significantly increased knowledge of their diversity and adaptability. Although studies on microbial diversity in microbial ecology research have increased with the advent of multi-omics, relatively few studies have explored synthetic biology applications within microalgal production systems.
Given the immense potential of microalgae as a sustainable bio-resource in the industrial economy, advanced systems biology techniques are required to investigate the intricate relationships between microalgae and microbes. These investigations could yield novel insights into microbial ecology and metabolic engineering, significantly impacting both ecological perspectives and various biotechnological applications in the microalgae industry.
This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Mini Review, Review, and Perspective articles on the following subjects:
• Advancement of knowledge of algal-microbe interactions;
• Molecular mechanisms underlying positive or negative microalgae-microbe interactions;
• Application of multi-omics, with a specific focus on techniques and approaches developed for microalgae-microbe interaction studies;
• Synthetic biology or evolutionary engineering approaches to engineer microalgae or microbes for specific purposes;
• Isolation and characterization of microalgae-associated microorganisms;
• Applications of microalgae-microbe interactions in bio-based economy.
Technological advances in characterizing and understanding the metabolic capabilities of associated microorganisms have significantly increased knowledge of their diversity and adaptability. Although studies on microbial diversity in microbial ecology research have increased with the advent of multi-omics, relatively few studies have explored synthetic biology applications within microalgal production systems.
Given the immense potential of microalgae as a sustainable bio-resource in the industrial economy, advanced systems biology techniques are required to investigate the intricate relationships between microalgae and microbes. These investigations could yield novel insights into microbial ecology and metabolic engineering, significantly impacting both ecological perspectives and various biotechnological applications in the microalgae industry.
This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Mini Review, Review, and Perspective articles on the following subjects:
• Advancement of knowledge of algal-microbe interactions;
• Molecular mechanisms underlying positive or negative microalgae-microbe interactions;
• Application of multi-omics, with a specific focus on techniques and approaches developed for microalgae-microbe interaction studies;
• Synthetic biology or evolutionary engineering approaches to engineer microalgae or microbes for specific purposes;
• Isolation and characterization of microalgae-associated microorganisms;
• Applications of microalgae-microbe interactions in bio-based economy.
Keywords: Microalgae-Microbe Interactions, Phycosphere region, Microalgal cells, Microalgae industrial applications, Microalgal growth, Microalgae-associated microorganisms
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.
