Microbial Interactions: from Mechanisms to Applications in the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance

Microbial communities are shaped by complex interactions that govern their structure, behaviour, and ecological success. These interactions may be beneficial or present challenges to the members of the community. By understanding the mechanisms involved in these complex microbial interactions, it is possible to create targeted approaches and innovative applications, particularly to combat the rise and spread of antimicrobial-resistance among microorganisms.

This Research Topic aims to explore the molecular mechanisms and the ecology of different types of microbial interactions, highlighting both fundamental mechanisms as well as their applications. We welcome studies focused on quorum sensing and quorum quenching mechanisms, including their roles in coordinating gene expression, biofilm formation and disruption, and virulence in diverse environments.

Contributions addressing antivirulence strategies, microbial stress responses, and intercellular signaling pathways are of particular interest, especially those that propose novel approaches to disrupt virulence without selecting for antimicrobial resistance. We also encourage submissions on cooperative interactions such as cross-feeding and adhesion, as well as competitive dynamics involving antagonism and bacteriocin production.

Both experimental and computational studies that advance our understanding of microbial interactions and propose applications in food safety, biotechnology, agricultural and environmental microbiology or medical microbiology are welcome.

In this article collection we consider the following sub-themes :

o Quorum sensing and Microbial signalling
o Antivirulence approaches
o Quorum quenching
o Biofilms
o Stress response
o Cross-feeding
o Antagonism
o Adhesion
o Bacteriocins

In this Research Topic we welcome the following article types: Hypothesis and Theory, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Review, Systematic Review.

Keywords: Quorum sensing, Biofilms, Antivirulence, Microbial signaling, Bacteriocins, Antagonism, Antimicrobial resistance

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.