Applied Microbiology —An Open Access Journal

Welcome to Applied Microbiology, a new Open Access MDPI journal that will report original studies and reviews on the growing numbers of applications for microorganisms and their associated technologies [...]

Welcome to Applied Microbiology, a new Open Access MDPI journal that will report original studies and reviews on the growing numbers of applications for microorganisms and their associated technologies.
Since the inception of Microbiology as a scientific discipline there has been a focus on how microbes impact human health, food production and enterprise. Not least in the early ground-breaking observational studies linking microorganisms with disease: Semmelweis in the 1840s highlighted the importance of hand washing to prevent the transfer of pathogens in childbirth [1]-a general hygiene message that we need to continue to heed in the current COVID-19 pandemic; and the contemporary studies of Berkeley on the cause of potato blight (Phytophthora infestans) responsible for crop failures, which notably in Ireland lead to famine and mass emigration as an economic necessity [2]-the impact of microorganisms on food insecurity remains a key issue in the face of climate change.
Exploiting natural fermentations to produce, improve and preserve foods and beverages dates back into prehistory. However, the development of the Microbiology discipline required the decisive demonstration by Pasteur in the 1860s that the sterilization of organic substrates prevented microbial growth, and in doing so eliminated the possibility of the spontaneous appearance of microorganisms and associated fermentations [3]. These discoveries led to the widespread application of sterilization methods for the control of microbial growth, the adoption of the "Pasteurization" process by the dairy industry to remove pathogens and prolong the shelf life of dairy produce, and ultimately paved the way for the development of industrial fermentation technologies. Today industrial microbiology represents a precision industry that has developed from its agrifood roots; benefiting from complementary advances in "omic" technologies, gene manipulation and process engineering for the large-scale use of microorganisms to produce biomass, microbial metabolites, protein products (including enzymes), antimicrobials and preservatives. Low environmental impact fermentations for the efficient cost-effective production of precursor molecules and biological catalysts in the form of enzymes for biotransformation are key drivers in the development of Green Chemistry [4]. Traditional fermentations have also benefitted from the application of precise molecular methods to track populations of signature microbes and metabolites as an aid to ensure product quality.
Advances in nucleotide sequencing technologies and analytical chemistry have made detailed studies of microbial communities feasible. Complex and dynamic populations can be analysed to provide the basis for quantitative modelling of the underlying biological and chemical processes. Amongst these are microbes that themselves effect population levels, which include predatory organisms, viruses (bacteriophages) and those that have evolved competitive advantages through the control/use of substrates or the production of antimicrobials (antibiotics and bacteriocins). These organisms collectively form the basis for biological control and competitive exclusion applications that can minimise collateral damage to microbial ecosystems [5]. These advanced technologies also underpin microbiome studies in man and animals and provide the basis for targeted bioremediation using microbial communities capable of degrading terrestrial and aquatic environmental pollutants [6].
Although not intended to be exhaustive, this editorial seeks to highlight the breadth and scope of microbial applications. The journal will therefore encourage contributions reporting a wide range of applications in microbiology. To provide expert opinion and feedback we have assembled an Editorial Board with diverse experience that, together with the publisher and dedicated administrative staff, will provide a timely publication experience and guide the development of Applied Microbiology in years to come. We very much hope you will choose our journal to publish your research and we look forward to receiving your manuscripts.

Conflicts of Interest:
The author declares no conflict of interest.