Mycobacteria still have a devastating global impact being the aetiological agents of tuberculosis, leprosy, buruli ulcer and other diseases manifesting in humans and other animals. Tuberculosis alone was responsible for over 1.4 million human deaths in 2019. The technological advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and other methods that provide a comprehensive study of biomolecules (Omics) is outstanding. Its far-reaching application in the field of study dedicated to mycobacteria moved forward our understanding of the population structure of the genus Mycobacterium and promoted discoveries in a myriad of aspects related to M. tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria, Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium ulcerans.
The study of mycobacteria poses significant challenges that need to be overcome for a better control of mycobacterial diseases. The limitations in current knowledge include an incomplete view of the phylogenetic population structure of mycobacteria and some lack of understanding of central aspects driving the origin, (re)emergence and phylogeographic evolution of these pathogens. Also, there is a need to identify key molecular players involved in host-pathogen interaction, drug-resistance mechanisms as well as a better definition of the studies at the population, transmission cluster, host, and single-cell levels.
In this research topic we welcome the submission of review and research manuscripts that address advances in mycobacterial population genomics contributing to increase the current understanding of the emergence and genetic diversity of mycobacteria. Furthermore, the scope also includes systems biology approaches including the use of omics to reveal pivotal aspects underlying the host interaction, drug resistance and tolerance as well as other biologic and clinically relevant aspects related with mycobacteria.
Mycobacteria still have a devastating global impact being the aetiological agents of tuberculosis, leprosy, buruli ulcer and other diseases manifesting in humans and other animals. Tuberculosis alone was responsible for over 1.4 million human deaths in 2019. The technological advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and other methods that provide a comprehensive study of biomolecules (Omics) is outstanding. Its far-reaching application in the field of study dedicated to mycobacteria moved forward our understanding of the population structure of the genus Mycobacterium and promoted discoveries in a myriad of aspects related to M. tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria, Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium ulcerans.
The study of mycobacteria poses significant challenges that need to be overcome for a better control of mycobacterial diseases. The limitations in current knowledge include an incomplete view of the phylogenetic population structure of mycobacteria and some lack of understanding of central aspects driving the origin, (re)emergence and phylogeographic evolution of these pathogens. Also, there is a need to identify key molecular players involved in host-pathogen interaction, drug-resistance mechanisms as well as a better definition of the studies at the population, transmission cluster, host, and single-cell levels.
In this research topic we welcome the submission of review and research manuscripts that address advances in mycobacterial population genomics contributing to increase the current understanding of the emergence and genetic diversity of mycobacteria. Furthermore, the scope also includes systems biology approaches including the use of omics to reveal pivotal aspects underlying the host interaction, drug resistance and tolerance as well as other biologic and clinically relevant aspects related with mycobacteria.
