Invertebrates inhabit a wide range of habitats and represent a large array of species including insects, mollusks and crustaceans. Thus, they play crucial roles in ecosystems and are essential for ecological balance. Advances in genomic technologies such as high-throughput sequencing and transcriptomics have opened new avenues for understanding the genetic basis of invertebrate's biology, evolution, and interactions with their environments. As more and more genomes are being sequenced and our ability to analyze these genomes improves, so does our understanding of the intricate biological mechanisms that govern invertebrates' lives.

Understanding the genomics of invertebrates is critical for various fields, including agriculture, environmental conservation, and human health. For example, sequencing the genome of the mosquito Aedes aegypti, a major vector of diseases such as dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya, has provided insights into its insecticide resistance and behaviour, aiding in the development of targeted control strategies such as gene-editing technologies. Similarly, studying the genetics of the honeybee (Apis mellifera), a key pollinator for global agriculture, has helped to understand factors affecting colony health, including pesticide sensitivity and disease resistance. As invertebrates form the foundation of many ecosystems, research on their genomics should be at the forefront of strategies to protect our environment and its ecological balance.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

•Genome organization and evolution of invertebrate species

•Genomic insights into insect vectors and their parasites

•RNA-Seq applications in invertebrate research

•Transcriptomics studies on invertebrates’ ecological interactions

•Functional genomics of invertebrates’ immune responses

•Evolutionary genomics of adaptation to extreme environments

•Metagenomics of invertebrate-associated microbiomes

•Genomic approaches to study invertebrate behaviour

•Population genomics and conservation genetics of threatened invertebrates

•Genomic resources for biocontrol agent development

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.

The study of microbiomes has emerged as a dynamic field at the intersection of genomics, ecology, and health sciences. Microbiomes encompass the diverse communities of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and unicellular eukaryotes, residing in various environments, such as the human body, food, soil, and aquatic systems. Understanding the genomic makeup of these microbiomes is crucial for unraveling their complex interactions with hosts and the environment. As advances in sequencing technologies, including single molecule sequencing, metagenomics and single cell omics, continue to evolve, researchers are better equipped to explore the rich genetic diversity (including pangenomes and epigenomes) and functional capacities of microbiomes across different ecosystems.

Investigating the genomics of microbiomes is pivotal for addressing critical questions in ecology, health, disease, and environmental sustainability. For instance, recent breakthroughs in the field have illustrated how microbiomes influence human health, from their roles in metabolism and immune function to their impact on mental health. Furthermore, understanding the genomics of environmental microbiomes can provide insights into biogeochemical processes and ecological resilience. As we deepen our knowledge of these microbial communities and develop computational biology methods to model their functionality, we stand to enhance our ability to harness their potential for applications in medicine, agriculture, and environmental management.

Future research in this area holds the promise of transformative advances in our understanding of microbiomes. The integration of multi-omics approaches, combining genomics with transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, may lead to a holistic view of microbial community dynamics and their functional implications. Additionally, developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning could further accelerate discoveries, enabling the identification of novel microbial functions and their roles in health and disease. As we continue to explore these intricate relationships, we can anticipate innovative strategies for harnessing microbiomes for therapeutic and environmental applications.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

•Genomics and epigenomics of host-microbe interactions

•X-omics studies in environmental and host-microbiomes

•Advances in genomics of unculturable microorganisms

•Genome-guided development of synthetic microbiomes and consortia

•Microbiomes and environmental resilience: a genomic perspective

•The human microbiome: genetic diversity and functional potential

•Microbial adaptation and evolution in changing environments

•The role of microbiomes in antibiotic resistance and pathogenesis

•Computational and AI-driven methods for microbiome genomics

•Microbiome applications in sustainable agriculture and environmental management

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.