BMC Genomics is calling for submissions to our Collection on Genomics of reproduction, a field that investigates the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying reproductive processes in animals. We aim to explore how advancements in genomic technologies, such as DNA and RNA sequencing, can enhance our understanding of sexual reproduction, meiosis, and their implications in animal breeding, fertility, and species conservation. The application of these technologies to reproductive biology is uncovering the intricate dynamics of gametogenesis, fertilization, and early embryonic development, opening new avenues for innovation in reproductive health.

Researchers are now using these tools to investigate reproductive processes with a level of detail that was previously unattainable. For example, single-cell RNA sequencing has been used to construct detailed transcriptional atlases of animal reproductive tissues, revealing stage-specific gene expression patterns during spermatogenesis and identifying key regulators of meiotic progression and germ cell differentiation. In another application, whole-genome sequencing of livestock embryos has improved the detection of structural variants and mosaicism, allowing for more accurate selection in animal breeding programs and reducing the risk of developmental failure. Furthermore, natural models have been used in in livestock with large datasets to identify new variants or genes affecting fertility through genome-wide association studies with quantitative measurements of semen quality and insemination success.

Continued research in this field promises to yield transformative insights that could revolutionize our understanding of reproductive biology. Future studies may uncover novel genetic factors influencing fertility, enhance precision breeding approaches in livestock and wildlife management, and improve strategies for managing reproduction-related challenges in agriculture and conservation biology. Furthermore, the integration of genomics with other omics technologies may lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the interplay between genetics, environment, and reproductive outcomes.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

- Genomic insights into meiosis

-Alternative strategies to sexual reproduction

-Parthenogenesis

- DNA sequencing applications in reproductive biology

- RNA sequencing in gametogenesis

- Genetic factors influencing fertility

- Epigenetic regulation of reproduction

- Genomics of reproductive aging

- Role of non-coding RNAs in reproductive processes

- Comparative genomics of reproductive traits

- Genomic approaches to species conservation

- Impact of environmental factors on reproductive genomics

- Advances in reproductive genomics for precision breeding and conservation

- Studies on sexual chromosomes and sexual development disorders

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.

For many years now, the study of pathogens’ genomes has enabled more accurate and timely diagnostics while allowing the tracking of specific strains or isolates. This can help discover the source of a specific epidemic and how it spreads, which in turn informs the best way to contain it. However, recent advances in third-generation sequencing techniques and the bioinformatics tools linked with them have transformed practice. It is now possible to sequence individual genomes much faster and much cheaper, which is opening new avenues for pathogen tracking, even in areas with limited funding such as the global South.

Advances in genomic technologies will also facilitate the emergence of personalized medicine approaches tailored to specific infections—such as genome-guided antiretroviral therapy for HIV or drug-resistance profiling in tuberculosis. Real-time genomic surveillance, exemplified by platforms like GISAID or other repositories during the COVID-19 pandemic, enables rapid detection and monitoring of emerging variants, thus improving public health responses.

This Collection invites submissions looking at human pathogens genomes and data sets to build on the knowledge already accumulated. We will also consider rapid diagnostics datasets and new techniques in genomic studies of human pathogens.

If you have a data note to submit, please submit to our sister collection Genomics of human pathogens data notes in BMC Genomic Data.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

- Genomic characterization of bacterial pathogens

- New genomes of pathogens or strains

- Viral genomics and infection dynamics

- Comparative genomics of human parasites

- Microbial resistance mechanisms in pathogens

- Genomic epidemiology of infectious diseases

- Host-pathogen genomic interactions

- Metagenomic approaches to pathogen discovery

- Evolutionary genomics of emerging infections

- Functional genomics and regulatory networks in pathogens

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3, Good Health & 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.