Cover Image, Volume 8, Number 1, January 2026

Front cover image: Formate, a renewable one-carbon (C1) feedstock, presents significant potential for the biosynthesis of high-value compounds. However, its microbial conversion is often hindered by limited metabolic flux. In article CEY270064, Qian et al. present an extensive analysis of microbial hosts, assimilation pathways, and metabolic engineering strategies for formate bioconversion. They emphasize that fine-tuning crucial enzymes and metabolic networks, along with integrating chemo-bio conversion methods, can greatly improve formate-to-product transformation. Their work offers a strategic blueprint for sustainable and efficient biomanufacturing.