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Call for papers - Mammals data notes

Guest Editors

Derek Bickhart, PhD, Hendrix Genetics, Netherlands
Brittney Keel, PhD, USDA-ARS US Meat Animal Research Center, USA
Amod Kumar, MVSc, PhD, ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, India
Deivendran Rengaraj, PhD, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 07 August 2025

BMC Genomic Data is calling for submissions to our Collection, Mammals data notes. This Collection seeks to gather diverse data notes and research on mammals' genomics, transcriptomics, and other omics data, providing valuable insights into the genetic and molecular characteristics of diverse mammalian species. Researchers are invited to contribute their work, covering topics such as mammalian genomes, transcriptomic analyses, and molecular studies, with an emphasis on understanding the genetic factors that have contributed to the success of mammals in occupying a wide array of ecological niches. The aim is to advance our understanding of mammalian biology, evolution, and ecological interactions.

New Content ItemThis Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 15: Life on Land

Meet the Guest Editors

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Derek Bickhart, PhD, Hendrix Genetics, Netherlands

Dr Derek Bickhart has spent much of his career working on the generation of high quality genomics resources to serve the plant, animal, and microbial genomics communities. He has led or contributed to the development of reference genome assemblies for species in nearly all of the main superkingdoms of life, and his publications have been cited as milestones in the field of genome informatics for non-model organisms. His main research focus is to identify key biological facets from otherwise complex datasets and to use them to develop new methods or resources for the research community.

Brittney Keel, PhD, USDA-ARS US Meat Animal Research Center, USA

Dr Brittney Keel is a Research Animal Geneticist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Her research focuses on collecting and characterizing novel high-throughput phenotypes in swine and beef cattle and incorporating them into breeding programs. She has extensive experience working with whole genome sequence, SNP genotype, and transcriptomics data, with particular emphasis on developing methodologies for integrating multi-omics datasets.

Amod Kumar, MVSc, PhD, ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, India

Dr Amod Kumar holds a Master's and PhD in Animal Genetics and Breeding from the ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India. Presently, he is working as a Scientist at the ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India. His research expertise lies in molecular genetics and computational biology. Dr Kumar utilizes advanced technologies such as whole genome sequencing, SNP genotyping, and microsatellite markers for the characterization and conservation of Animal Genetic Resources of India.

Deivendran Rengaraj, PhD, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China

Dr Deivendran Rengaraj is currently a Distinguished Associate Research Fellow at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. His research focuses on animal reproduction, genetics/transcriptomics, and cell biology, with particular emphasis on primordial germ cells and germ-line cells. His work also includes the production of genome-edited cells and animals for germ cell studies, as well as the expression and functional analysis of genes in immune tissues and cells involved in innate and adaptive immunity. Additionally, he investigates sex chromosome-encoded genes and proteins. Dr Rengaraj has published approximately 67 papers in prestigious journals (h-index = 22) and serves on the Editorial Board of BMC Genomics.

About the Collection

BMC Genomic Data is calling for submissions to our Collection, Mammals data notes. Mammals are central to ecosystems worldwide, having successfully colonized nearly every ecological niche on Earth. This Collection aims to compile data notes and research on mammals' genomics, transcriptomics, and other omics data, providing a comprehensive resource for understanding the genetic and molecular characteristics of diverse mammalian species. Submissions are encouraged to explore a wide range of topics, including mammalian genomes, transcriptomic analyses, and molecular studies, with a particular focus on the evolutionary and ecological factors that have enabled mammals to thrive in such diverse environments.

It is important for us to continue advancing our collective understanding of mammalian genomics and omics data to unravel the complexities of mammalian biology, evolution, and ecological interactions. The democratization of sequencing technologies has significantly lowered costs and increased accessibility, leading to a boom in the number of mammalian genomes available for study. This surge in genomic data has paved the way for large-scale comparative studies that reveal the genetic diversity and adaptive strategies of various species. Notably, the development of pangenomes—comprehensive reference genomes that integrate data from multiple individuals within a species—has provided deeper insights into genetic variation and population-level adaptations. Additionally, transcriptomic studies have illuminated gene expression patterns and regulatory mechanisms across different mammalian species, further enhancing our understanding of how these species interact with their environments and evolve over time.

We invite contributions that examine a wide range of topics relating to mammals data notes, including but not limited to:

  • Mammalian genomes, including sequencing, assembly, and comparative analysis
  • Transcriptomic studies exploring gene expression patterns in mammals
  • Metabolomics and proteomics
  • Multi-omics approaches, integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics for comprehensive insights into mammalian biology
  • Population genomics and genetic diversity within mammalian species
  • Functional genomics and gene expression studies in mammals
  • Evolutionary genomics, including the study of adaptive traits and lineage diversification
  • Genomic resources for conservation, including endangered species and habitat preservation
  • Epigenomics and the role of regulatory elements in mammalian development and adaptation
  • Technological advances in genome sequencing and bioinformatics tools for mammalian studies


Looking ahead, continued research in this area holds the potential for uncovering novel genetic adaptations, evolutionary patterns, and molecular mechanisms underlying mammalian diversity and ecological interactions. For example, the recent successful sequencing of the koala genome has revealed key insights into the species’ unique adaptations, such as their ability to detoxify eucalyptus leaves and resist certain diseases. This type of genomic knowledge has informed conservation strategies, including efforts to protect the koala from habitat loss and disease threats. Similarly, ongoing efforts may lead to the development of valuable genomic resources for conservation and management strategies, contributing to the preservation of mammalian biodiversity and ecosystems.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 15: Life on Land

Image credit: © Grigorita Ko / stock.adobe.com

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles and Data Notes. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Mammals data notes" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.