Seagrass Genomics, Proteomics and Metabolomics

Dear Colleagues,

The global discussion regarding climate changes in recent years has resulted in increased interest in seagrasses meadows in a holistic manner in scientific and socio-political contexts.

Seagrasses are marine flowering plants, adapted to live underwater and where there is very limited light; despite this fact, they are able to photosynthesize. In plant fields, the great developments of cutting-edge technical methodologies (proteomics, genomics, metabolomics, in general omics, and molecular approaches) and data analyses has driven discoveries in plant physiology and the comprehension of different biological mechanisms to counteract and find solutions to deal with the climate emergency. Although there have been many advancements in terrestrial plants, research regarding seagrass has been less fast-growing; the seagrass ecological role remains undiscussed despite its importance for ecosystems. The role of seagrass is to be a marker for the detrimental effects of the anthropological activities, to create healthy habits for biodiversity, and to play a role in the carbon sequestration capacity. Additionally, for these reasons, the first sequenced seagrass species almost a decade ago was a milestone in the seagrass biology. In recent years, climate change events have become clearer and the worldwide detrimental effects are becoming increasingly obvious.

The Special Issue will focus on the scientific advances regarding the knowledge of seagrass meadows and how a better understanding of their safeguard has the potential to help in the worldwide climate crises. We are also looking to provide a deep understanding of the biological processes that seagrasses have put in place to adapt to such an inhospitable environment, such as the sea depth, and to improve these processes.

Dr. Letizia Bernardo
Guest Editor

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• seagrass
• omics
• genomics
• proteomics
• metabolomics
• marine environment
• climate changes

1. Keep It Simple: Improving the Ex Situ Culture of Cystoseira s.l. to Restore Macroalgal Forests.

2. Seagrass Epiphyte Biofilm 16S Metagenomics in Response to Top-Down and Bottom-Up Controls of Epiphytes.