Bacterial vaccines constitute a cornerstone in global strategies to mitigate infectious diseases; however, their continued effectiveness is challenged by escalating antimicrobial resistance and continuously emerging pathogens. Although significant strides have been made, traditional bacterial vaccines often fail to offer sustained protection due to pathogen variability, insufficient immunological memory, and limited understanding of protective immune mechanisms. Recent advances in immunology, molecular biology, and technology now enable researchers to delve deeper into immune correlates of protection—specific immune markers, including antibody functionality, T-cell responses, cytokine networks, and memory immune cells that correlate with vaccine-induced protective immunity. Nonetheless, comprehensive identification and characterization of these correlates remain incomplete and represent a critical barrier to the development of next-generation bacterial vaccines.
This research topic aims to enhance the understanding of immune correlates of protection in the context of bacterial vaccine development. By identifying the specific immune responses necessary to confer protection, this collection of studies will support the design of next-generation bacterial vaccines that target various pathogens more effectively. The goal is to explore how different immune components, such as T-cell activation, antibody production, and cytokine response— contribute to bacterial immunity. Additionally, we aim to foster the development of new vaccine platforms, including mRNA vaccines, protein subunit vaccines, and live-attenuated bacterial vaccines. This topic will also highlight the potential of innovative immunomodulatory strategies and novel adjuvants to boost immune responses. Ultimately, this research topic will provide critical insights for developing vaccines that can overcome the limitations of traditional vaccines, such as antigenic variability and waning immunity.
This research topic welcomes submissions of both clinical and preclinical studies. We encourage original research articles, reviews, and short communications focused on the development of bacterial vaccines. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: Elucidation of immune correlates of protection in bacterial infections. Studies on antibody-mediated immunity and T-cell responses in the context of bacterial vaccines. Novel vaccine platforms and their role in enhancing immune protection. Advances in antigen presentation and immune modulation. Development of adjuvants and their role in enhancing vaccine efficacy. Exploration of new bacterial vaccine candidates targeting antibiotic-resistant strains. We welcome contributions that provide insights into vaccine development from various disciplines, including immunology, molecular biology, microbiology and computational biology.
The editorial team declares that Dr. Mehak Zahoor Khan and Dr. Paulina Maria Kaplonek are both currently employed by Moderna Therapeutics, a for-profit biotechnology company engaged in the development and production of drug therapies and vaccines. Dr. Nadege Nziza is currently employed by AFYIA Diagnostics, a for-profit biotechnology company.
Keywords: bacterial vaccines, bacterial infection, immune correlates of protection, immunology, antibody response, T-cell response, next-generation vaccines, vaccine development, antigen presentation, immunotherapy, personalized vaccines
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
