Genetics of Host–Pathogen Interactions
A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Genetics and Genomics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2026 | Viewed by 1499
Special Issue Editors
Interests: host–pathogen interactions; cell signaling; transcriptomics; proteomics; immune response; inflammation; SARS-CoV-2
Interests: transcriptomics; immunogenomics; microRNA; animal genomics; immune response; inflammation; molecular biology; microbiota; metabolomics; proteomics; salmonellosis
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Host–pathogen interactions are fundamental to understanding the biology of infectious diseases. Pathogens have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to exploit host resources, while hosts have developed complex immune defenses to counteract these threats. Understanding the genetic factors that govern these interactions is essential for unraveling disease mechanisms and developing effective interventions in both human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, and ecology.
This Special Issue aims to highlight advances in the genetic and genomic study of these complex interactions across diverse systems, including humans, animals, plants, and microbes. Topics may include genetic determinants of host resistance, pathogen adaptation, immune modulation, co-evolutionary processes, and host–pathogen–microbiome interactions.
Traditionally, studies of host–pathogen dynamics focused on phenotypic traits and candidate genes. The advent of high-throughput sequencing and computational biology has transformed the field, enabling genome-wide analyses and discovery of novel genetic interactions that shape disease outcomes.
Recent advances include single-cell omics, CRISPR-based functional screens, and system biology approaches. These tools are providing deeper insights into complex traits and real-time evolutionary responses during infection.
We invite original research articles, reviews, and methodological papers that explore genetic mechanisms underlying host–pathogen interactions. Contributions addressing emerging infectious diseases or using innovative models and methods are particularly encouraged.
Dr. Transito Garcia-Garcia
Dr. Sara Zaldívar López
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- pathogen virulence factors
- infection susceptibility
- immune evasion
- genomics of infectious diseases
- host–pathogen co-evolution
- host–pathogen dynamics
- microbiome–host interactions
- emerging infectious diseases
- crispr and gene editing in host–pathogen studies
- transcriptomics and gene expression profiling
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
