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.

BMC Genomics invites researchers to contribute to our Collection on Cattle genomics focusing on understanding the genetic makeup of bovine species, which is essential for improving livestock breeding and health. Advances in genomic technologies, such as next-generation sequencing and RNA sequencing, have enabled researchers to reveal insights into traits such as growth, meat quality, milk production, disease resistance, reproductive fitness, and overall adaptability in bovine genomes. This Collection aims to highlight the latest research developments in cattle genomics, encompassing both genomic and transcriptomic studies that contribute to the understanding of bovine biology.

Recent breakthroughs in genomic selection and precision breeding techniques have already shown promise in increasing efficiency in cattle production. The use of CRISPR-Cas genome editing, for example, has allowed for precise modifications to the cattle genome, introducing beneficial genetic variations without the linkage drag associated with traditional breeding methods. Additionally, the integration of omics technologies is paving the way for a holistic understanding of cattle biology, allowing for more effective management and breeding strategies. Studying the rumen microbiome using genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics has revealed how microbial communities contribute to feed efficiency and nutrient absorption. This comprehensive approach enables targeted nutritional strategies that improve cattle health and productivity while reducing environmental impact. Such integrative studies facilitate the selection of cattle with optimal microbiome compositions, leading to more sustainable and efficient cattle production systems.

As research in cattle genomics progresses, we can anticipate the development of more sophisticated genomic tools that will enable precise manipulation of genetic traits in bovine populations. This may lead to enhanced resilience against diseases, improved reproductive performance, and better adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Ultimately, continued innovation in this field holds the potential to reform cattle production systems, ensuring sustainable livestock farming for future generations.

- Genomic selection in cattle breeding

- Transcriptomic analysis of bovine traits

- Pathogenicity and disease resistance genomics

- Advances in RNA-Seq applications for cattle

- Omics approaches to cattle health and productivity

- Genetic mapping of economically important traits

- Gene editing

- Metagenomics of the bovine gut microbiome

- Epigenetic regulation of growth and reproduction

- Comparative genomics of cattle and other livestock species

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 2, Zero Hunger.

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.