The microbial communities (e.g. bacteria, fungi, viruses) that inhabit human-built environments are diverse, dynamic and complex, and they play a significant role in human health and wellbeing. From indoor air quality to the surfaces and building materials we touch daily, we interact with a range of microbes that come from a variety of sources such as other humans, pets, plants, pests, and other outdoor sources. Investigating and understanding these interactions require interdisciplinary approaches that integrate microbiology, ecology, and engineering principles, among other disciplines. As our understanding of microbial dynamics within built environments advances, it becomes increasingly clear that built-environment microbes and microbiomes can strongly affect human health, either positively or negatively.

Recent research has highlighted the potential importance of indoor microbial diversity in influencing human health (e.g. respiratory health, allergies, and the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms, particularly in healthcare settings). Innovations in monitoring and modelling microbial communities are opening new avenues for designing healthier indoor environments and mitigating risks from unwanted microbial exposures. Ongoing research in the field has the potential to yield novel insights into how these microbes respond metabolically to certain stressors and how we can leverage that knowledge. Additionally, a better understanding of microbe-host interactions could aid in developing novel approaches in building design and public health initiatives. Adaptive antimicrobial methods based on real-world conditions (such as occupancy, ventilation, and microbial indicators) offer a promising pathway to control microbial risks while minimizing unintended impacts.

In support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being), BMC Microbiology launches the Collection Microbes in built environments. This Collection invites research articles that contribute to the understanding of microbes and microbiomes in human-built environments, encompassing microbial ecology, diversity, metabolism, and their implications for human health. Submissions are welcome on topics ranging from indoor microbial communities to the impact of design on microbe-host interactions in the built environment. Research without a clear focus on microorganisms, microbial communities, or microbiomes in built environments will not be considered. We invite researchers and experts in the field to submit research articles covering a broad range of topics, including, but not limited to:

• Interactions between microorganisms/viruses and hosts in built environments
• Microbial physiology, metabolism, adaptation and diversity of the built environment
• Impact of microbes in the built environment on human health and diseases
• Antimicrobial resistance of the built environment
• Holistic pathogen defence in the built environment
• Microbial ecology of the built environment
• Microbial adaptation and evolution in response to anthropogenic disturbances in built environments
• Viruses in the built environment
• Food surfaces and disinfection in the built environment
• Role of indoor air quality, ventilation and HVAC systems in microbial community dynamics
• Impact of surface and building materials on microbial colonisation
• Bioremediation and microbial management in built environments
• Interventions to promote/discourage microbial exposures in built environments
• Environmental monitoring methods of microbes in built environments
• Adaptive antimicrobial strategies in built environments

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.

Recent advances in gene editing and synthetic biology have significantly deepened our understanding of microbiology and demonstrated their transformative potential in applied microbiology and microbial biotechnology. These technologies open new possibilities to study and engineer microbial genomes and metabolic pathways with a range of relevant applications including microbial cell bioprocessing and biomanufacturing, third-generation microbial biorefineries, biofuel and biomaterial production, bioremediation and biodegradation, living biotherapeutics, and therapeutic genome editing. Notably, gene editing by CRISPR-Cas systems has been at the forefront of this revolution in applied microbiology, enabling targeted modification of microbial genomes with high efficiency and precision. Overall, the integration of novel genome editing tools and synthetic biology in microbiology research has driven the development of innovative and sustainable strategies to address pressing biomedical, industrial and economic challenges.

In support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being), BMC Microbiology launches the Collection Gene editing and synthetic biology applications in microbiology. This Collection invites research contributions exploring the applications of gene editing and synthetic biology approaches in microbiology, aiming to highlight the potential of microbial engineering and applied microbiology to address health, economic and industrial challenges, while driving environmental sustainability. Research without a clear focus on microorganisms, microbial communities, or microbiomes will not be considered. We invite researchers and experts in the field to submit research articles covering a broad range of topics, including, but not limited to:

• CRISPR-Cas systems: applications and new developments in microbial engineering
• Non-CRISPR-Cas gene editing platforms (e.g. ZFN and TALEN systems) in microbiology
• Genome editing and synthetic biology applications in microbial metabolic engineering
• Enhancing non-model microbe engineering and applications with genome editing
• Microbial gene editing and synthetic biology for therapeutic applications
• Engineering of microorganisms and microbial consortia to enhance bioprocessing and biomanufacturing
• Innovations in bioremediation and biodegradation by engineering of microorganisms and microbial consortia through microbial genome editing and synthetic biology approaches
• Engineering microbiomes through gene editing and synthetic biology
• Engineering microorganisms for C1 utilization and gas fermentation technologies
• Syngas microbial production platforms and biorefineries using genome engineered microorganisms
• Waste and plastic degradation and upcycling using engineered microbes
• Recent advances in gene editing and synthetic biology for heterologous protein expression and synthesis of high-value bioproducts
• Application of gene editing and synthetic biology for the production of third-generation biofuels
• Engineering living materials by genome editing and synthetic biology
• Development of biosensors using gene editing technologies for microbial applications
• Synthetic biology applications in microbiology to enhance environmental sustainability

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.