Cellular and Infection Microbiology

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Cellular and Infection Microbiology

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology is a multidisciplinary journal publishing research on microbial pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, prions, endosymbionts, and the microbiota. It explores host-microbe interactions and advances understanding of infection biology, immune responses, and the role of microbes in health and disease.

The following Research Topics are led by experts in their field and contribute to the scientific understanding of cellular and infection microbiology. These Research topics are published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, as open access articles.

Research Topics

Frontiers' Research Topics are peer-reviewed article collections around cutting-edge research themes.
Learn more about how Research topics work.

Structure of novel coronavirus spike receptor-binding domain complexed with its receptor ACE2. 3d licorice style illustration based on protein data bank

Viral Pathogenesis and Host Defense: Understanding the Missing Links to Combat Disease

This Research Topic addresses the molecular mechanisms underpinning viral pathogenesis in the context of pandemics.

Bacteriophage or phage virus attacking and infecting a bacteria - 3d illustration

Emerging Mechanisms of Host-Pathogen Interactions and immune responses

This Research Topic explores the emerging mechanisms driving host-pathogen interactions and their impact on immune responses.

3D illustration egg cells embryo. Embryo cells with red nucleuses in center. Human or animal egg cells. Medicine scientific concept. Development living organism at the cellular level under microscope.

Unveiling Host-Pathogen Interactions: Insights into Animal Cellular Immunity and Novel Diagnostics - Volume II

This research topic addresses host immune responses to pathogens, with a particular focus on studies that clarify how pathogens counteract host immunity during the long-standing co-evolutionary processes between pathogens and hosts.

Plasmodium falciparum 3d illustration; Shutterstock ID 509084095; purchase_order: Bynder; job: ; client: ; other:

Stem Cell Technologies coupled with Functional Genomics for the study of Parasite Biology and Host-parasite Interactions. Old questions, new approaches.

This Research Topic advances stem cell and functional genomics approaches to study tropical infectious diseases, focusing on host-pathogen interactions, drug resistance, vector biology, and innovative culture systems to improve prevention and treatment.

3d illustration - Escherichia Coli Bacteria

Bacterial Exotoxins: Exploring Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Potentials

This Research Topic covers novel perspectives on the role of toxins and their producing bacteria as pathogenic weapons, immune defences, mediators in host-microbe interactions and tools for biomedical research and applications.

Fungi Coccidioides immitis, saprophytic stage, 3D illustration showing fungal arthroconidia. Pathogenic fungi that reside in soil and can cause infection coccidioidomycosis, or Valley fever

Mechanisms of immune response and evasion in fungal pathogenesis

This Research Topic explores fungal pathogenesis and host immune responses, focusing on mechanisms of invasion, immune evasion, and pathogenicity to inform better treatments and improve outcomes for patients affected by fungal infections.

Candida yeasts. C. albicans and C. auris are two pathogenic yeasts that cause candidiasis. C. auris has acquired multiple drug resistance. It's infection can end deadly. 3d rendering

Targeting Major Human Fungal Pathogens: Novel Insights into Virulence and Antifungal Therapies

This Research Topic explores fungal virulence, immune evasion, and antifungal resistance in pathogens like Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus, aiming to uncover novel therapies, drug targets, and immunomodulatory strategies for improved treatment.

Virus, germs, microbe, bacterium, pathogen organism, leukocyte 3D illustration. Viral infection. Immunity fights disease. White blood cells attack infected cells. Viral mutations and immune defense

Pathogens transmitted by ectoparasites: Epidemiology, genetic characterization, and interactions

This Research Topic explores the critical aspects of pathogens transmitted by ectoparasites, focusing on their epidemiology, genetic characterization, and interactions with hosts, ectoparasite microbiota, and environmental factors.

3d illustration. Alveoli are the air sacs at the end of the respiratory tree of the lungs an are vital to respiration.

Exploring the Interface of Mucosal Vaccines and Immune System Modulation

This Research Topic explores how mucosal vaccines shape local and systemic immunity, highlighting advances in adjuvants, delivery systems, and microbiota interactions to improve vaccine effectiveness and safety through enhanced immune modulation.

Cellular organelle mitochondria. 3d illustration

Immunometabolic circuits in host-pathogen interaction

This Research Topic explores how immune cell metabolism shapes host-pathogen interactions, focusing on metabolic reprogramming, competition for nutrients, and therapeutic potential to combat infections and improve outcomes in immunocompromised patients.

Cancer research laboratory, Photodynamic therapy, photochemotherapy, female scientist using photosensitive drugs to treat cancer cells

Advancements in Light-Based Technologies for Antimicrobial Control

This Research Topic delves deeper into the potential of light-based technologies to offer novel antimicrobial solutions. It seeks to assess the efficacy, mechanism, and safety of different light spectrums in combating a range of microbial organisms.

Mechanism of cellular authophagy, illustration for Nobel Prize Award in Medicine 2016. 3D illustration showing fusion of lysosome with autophagosome containing microbes and molecules

Autophagy Evasion by Intracellular Pathogens: Mechanistic Insights

This Research Topic explores the intricate mechanisms by which intracellular pathogens by-pass the autophagic process to establish and sustain infections.

Close up of Mosquito sucking blood. Aedes Aegypti Mosquito on human skin.Mosquito vector borne disease is carrier of Malaria, Zica Virus, Chikungunya, Dengue,Yellow Fever,Encephalitis and Mayaro Fever

Innovative Strategies for Clinical Management of Dengue: A Focus on New Treatment Modalities and Diagnostic Tools

This Research Topic focuses on advancing dengue clinical management through novel diagnostics, therapeutic strategies, and translational research, aiming to improve patient outcomes and support healthcare systems facing the ongoing global dengue threat.

Characterization of aspergillus spp. under light microscope at 40x magnification after staining with Lactophenol cotton blue

Exploring Clinical Application Scenarios of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing for Pathogen Diagnosis

This Research Topic explores the clinical utility of mNGS in diagnosing rare and emerging pathogens, focusing on its application in complex cases, the impact of immune status and sample type, and advances to enhance diagnostic accuracy and outcomes.

Structure of novel coronavirus spike receptor-binding domain complexed with its receptor ACE2. 3d licorice style illustration based on protein data bank

Viral Pathogenesis and Host Defense: Understanding the Missing Links to Combat Disease

This Research Topic addresses the molecular mechanisms underpinning viral pathogenesis in the context of pandemics.

Bacteriophage or phage virus attacking and infecting a bacteria - 3d illustration

Emerging Mechanisms of Host-Pathogen Interactions and immune responses

This Research Topic explores the emerging mechanisms driving host-pathogen interactions and their impact on immune responses.

3D illustration egg cells embryo. Embryo cells with red nucleuses in center. Human or animal egg cells. Medicine scientific concept. Development living organism at the cellular level under microscope.

Unveiling Host-Pathogen Interactions: Insights into Animal Cellular Immunity and Novel Diagnostics - Volume II

This research topic addresses host immune responses to pathogens, with a particular focus on studies that clarify how pathogens counteract host immunity during the long-standing co-evolutionary processes between pathogens and hosts.

Plasmodium falciparum 3d illustration; Shutterstock ID 509084095; purchase_order: Bynder; job: ; client: ; other:

Stem Cell Technologies coupled with Functional Genomics for the study of Parasite Biology and Host-parasite Interactions. Old questions, new approaches.

This Research Topic advances stem cell and functional genomics approaches to study tropical infectious diseases, focusing on host-pathogen interactions, drug resistance, vector biology, and innovative culture systems to improve prevention and treatment.

3d illustration - Escherichia Coli Bacteria

Bacterial Exotoxins: Exploring Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Potentials

This Research Topic covers novel perspectives on the role of toxins and their producing bacteria as pathogenic weapons, immune defences, mediators in host-microbe interactions and tools for biomedical research and applications.

Fungi Coccidioides immitis, saprophytic stage, 3D illustration showing fungal arthroconidia. Pathogenic fungi that reside in soil and can cause infection coccidioidomycosis, or Valley fever

Mechanisms of immune response and evasion in fungal pathogenesis

This Research Topic explores fungal pathogenesis and host immune responses, focusing on mechanisms of invasion, immune evasion, and pathogenicity to inform better treatments and improve outcomes for patients affected by fungal infections.

Candida yeasts. C. albicans and C. auris are two pathogenic yeasts that cause candidiasis. C. auris has acquired multiple drug resistance. It's infection can end deadly. 3d rendering

Targeting Major Human Fungal Pathogens: Novel Insights into Virulence and Antifungal Therapies

This Research Topic explores fungal virulence, immune evasion, and antifungal resistance in pathogens like Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus, aiming to uncover novel therapies, drug targets, and immunomodulatory strategies for improved treatment.

Virus, germs, microbe, bacterium, pathogen organism, leukocyte 3D illustration. Viral infection. Immunity fights disease. White blood cells attack infected cells. Viral mutations and immune defense

Pathogens transmitted by ectoparasites: Epidemiology, genetic characterization, and interactions

This Research Topic explores the critical aspects of pathogens transmitted by ectoparasites, focusing on their epidemiology, genetic characterization, and interactions with hosts, ectoparasite microbiota, and environmental factors.

3d illustration. Alveoli are the air sacs at the end of the respiratory tree of the lungs an are vital to respiration.

Exploring the Interface of Mucosal Vaccines and Immune System Modulation

This Research Topic explores how mucosal vaccines shape local and systemic immunity, highlighting advances in adjuvants, delivery systems, and microbiota interactions to improve vaccine effectiveness and safety through enhanced immune modulation.

Cellular organelle mitochondria. 3d illustration

Immunometabolic circuits in host-pathogen interaction

This Research Topic explores how immune cell metabolism shapes host-pathogen interactions, focusing on metabolic reprogramming, competition for nutrients, and therapeutic potential to combat infections and improve outcomes in immunocompromised patients.

Cancer research laboratory, Photodynamic therapy, photochemotherapy, female scientist using photosensitive drugs to treat cancer cells

Advancements in Light-Based Technologies for Antimicrobial Control

This Research Topic delves deeper into the potential of light-based technologies to offer novel antimicrobial solutions. It seeks to assess the efficacy, mechanism, and safety of different light spectrums in combating a range of microbial organisms.

Mechanism of cellular authophagy, illustration for Nobel Prize Award in Medicine 2016. 3D illustration showing fusion of lysosome with autophagosome containing microbes and molecules

Autophagy Evasion by Intracellular Pathogens: Mechanistic Insights

This Research Topic explores the intricate mechanisms by which intracellular pathogens by-pass the autophagic process to establish and sustain infections.

Close up of Mosquito sucking blood. Aedes Aegypti Mosquito on human skin.Mosquito vector borne disease is carrier of Malaria, Zica Virus, Chikungunya, Dengue,Yellow Fever,Encephalitis and Mayaro Fever

Innovative Strategies for Clinical Management of Dengue: A Focus on New Treatment Modalities and Diagnostic Tools

This Research Topic focuses on advancing dengue clinical management through novel diagnostics, therapeutic strategies, and translational research, aiming to improve patient outcomes and support healthcare systems facing the ongoing global dengue threat.

Characterization of aspergillus spp. under light microscope at 40x magnification after staining with Lactophenol cotton blue

Exploring Clinical Application Scenarios of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing for Pathogen Diagnosis

This Research Topic explores the clinical utility of mNGS in diagnosing rare and emerging pathogens, focusing on its application in complex cases, the impact of immune status and sample type, and advances to enhance diagnostic accuracy and outcomes.