This special issue inaugurates our series on "User-Centric Bioinformatics Tools", focusing on the critical need for the development, usability, and long-term maintenance of bioinformatics software. In contrast to tools developed solely for publication purposes, we aim to encourage the creation of software that prioritizes user experience and sustained updates.

In the current landscape of bioinformatics, many tools are rapidly developed and published, only to become obsolete due to a lack of ongoing maintenance. This issue emphasizes the importance of user-friendly design, robust documentation, and community support to ensure the continued relevance and utility of bioinformatics software.

We invite submissions that showcase the development of bioinformatics tools with a user-centric approach. Submissions should include comprehensive documentation and strategies for long-term maintenance. We especially encourage contributions that highlight user feedback mechanisms, community engagement, and innovative solutions for maintaining software relevance in a fast-evolving field.

In addition to tool development, this special issue seeks to foster a community of researchers committed to advancing user-friendly bioinformatics applications. We envision a series where each subsequent issue builds on the tools presented, encouraging authors to submit updates and new versions that reflect ongoing improvements and expanded functionalities.

We invite authors to contribute research articles, reviews, mini reviews, letters, perspectives, methods, and commentaries that address these themes, covering topics such as genomic analysis, data visualization, integrative platforms, machine learning applications, and more.  The topics include but not limited to:

● Genome assembly, annotation, and comparative analysis tools

●   Multi-omics association analysis tools based on high-throughput sequencing technology

●   Analytical tools for cutting-edge technologies such as long-read sequencing, single-cell, and spatial omics

●   New computational methods for interdisciplinary concepts, such as using ecological theory to quantify and explain genomic questions

●   Practical bioinformatics analysis tools and pipelines

●   Review or discussion on bioinformatics frontiers and related issues

Guest Editors

Dr. Tong Zhou, Shandong University, China

Dr. Changwei Bi, Nanjing Forestry University, China

Deadline

The deadline for manuscript submissions is May 15, 2025, but we can accommodate extensions on a case-by-case basis. All papers will be published as open-access articles upon acceptance.

Submission Instructions

Please submit the full manuscript to Genomics Communications via our Online Submission System. Additionally, please choose a topic of this special issue when submitting and mention it in your cover letter. For further inquiries, please contact Guest Editors:

Tong Zhou (tongzhou@sdu.edu.cn)

Changwei Bi (bichwei@njfu.edu.cn)