BMC Biology is calling for submissions to our Collection on Organoids: advancements in normal development and disease modeling, and Regenerative Medicine. This Collection seeks to bring together cutting-edge research on the use of organoids as models of normal organ development and human disease, as well as transplantable material for tissue regeneration and as a platform for drug screening.

Studies can be based on organoids derived from either induced pluripotent stem cells or tissue-derived cells (embryonic or adult stem cells or progenitor or differentiated cells from healthy or diseased tissues, such as tumors).

We welcome submissions focusing on studies investigating the mechanisms of self-organization and cellular differentiation within organoids, and how these processes recapitulate human tissue architecture and pathology. We are especially interested in studies addressing the issues of improving tissue patterning, specialization, and function, and avoiding tumorigenicity after transplantation of organoids. We will also consider studies that demonstrate the application of organoids in personalized medicine, such as drug screening, toxicity testing, and the identification of novel therapeutic targets.

We are interested in studies focusing on the refinement of methods to enhance the fidelity and functional maturity of organoids, especially those integrating organoid models with cutting-edge technologies such as advanced imaging, single-cell and spatial omics, microfluidic chip systems and bioprinting.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

BMC Biology is calling for submissions to our Collection on Environmental microbiology. Environmental microbiology is a rapidly evolving field that investigates the interactions between microorganisms and their surrounding environments, including plants, soil, water, and air. This area of research encompasses a diverse range of organisms, from bacteria and protists to extremophiles, and seeks to understand their roles in various ecological processes. By examining microbial communities and their functions, researchers can gain insights into plant-microbe interactions, biogeochemical cycles, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem dynamics. Furthermore, the study of the microbiome in different habitats is crucial for understanding biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and the potential applications of microbes in environmental remediation. Advancements in molecular biology and bioinformatics have significantly enhanced our understanding of microbial ecology and the intricate relationships that underpin environmental systems. Understanding these interactions is essential for addressing pressing global issues such as climate change, pollution, and ecosystem degradation to develop sustainable strategies for environmental conservation and restoration.

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

Plant-associated microbes in sustainable agriculture

Microbiomes and symbioses in aquatic ecosystems

Microbial contributions to biogeochemical cycles

Community structure and dynamics in soil, water, air, and extreme environments

Extremophiles and their ecological significance

Pathogen Ecology

Host-Microbe Environmental Interactions

Effects of climate change and environmental stressors on microbial communities

Methodological Advances in environmental microbiology

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 6: Clean water and Sanitation, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 15: Life on Land.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.