Latest Review Papers in Molecular Microbiology
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Editors
Dr. Matthew Cheesman
Dr. Matthew Cheesman
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Collection Editor
School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia
Interests: molecular biology; Infectious diseases; biochemistry; natural product discovery; antimicrobial resistance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Topical Collection Information
Dear Colleagues,
Recent advancements in molecular microbiology have been numerous and significant. These include the interactions within microbial communities across different environments, particularly in the context of human health and disease. Cutting-edge imaging technologies, including high-resolution microscopy, have yielded significant insights into microbial behaviour and pathophysiology at the single-cell level. Artificial intelligence is also playing a role via its integration in microbial identification and ecological modelling. Significant progress has also been made in the field of molecular diagnostics for human pathogens, with a focus on the application of how current methodologies apply in various clinical settings. Research into the molecular mechanisms of microbial resistance to the drugs currently used to treat infections is also remains a high priority area of research.
This Topic Collection invites authors to contribute reviews in these and other associated areas in molecular microbiology.
Dr. Matthew Cheesman
Dr. Ian Edwin Cock
Collection 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 collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
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Keywords
- molecular pathogenesis
- host-pathogen interactions
- microbial genomics & proteomics
- antimicrobial resistance mechanisms
- microbial metabolomics
- bacterial/viral/fungal
- microbiome & human health
- molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases
- CRISPR & microbial gene editing
- biofilm formation & regulation
Published Papers (2 papers)
2025
Open AccessReview
Co-Infection Dynamics of Helicobacter pylori and Helminths: A Double-Edged Sword
by
Barathan Muttiah, Wathiqah Wahid, Asrul Abdul Wahab and Alfizah Hanafiah
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori (
H. pylori) and intestinal helminthes are common in low- and middle-income countries, where co-infection is endemic due to similar modes of transmission and poor sanitation. Whereas
H. pylori are recognized gastric pathogens that induce gastritis, ulcers, and gastric carcinoma,
[...] Read more.
Helicobacter pylori (
H. pylori) and intestinal helminthes are common in low- and middle-income countries, where co-infection is endemic due to similar modes of transmission and poor sanitation. Whereas
H. pylori are recognized gastric pathogens that induce gastritis, ulcers, and gastric carcinoma, helminths possess systemic immunomodulatory functions. The immunological, epidemiological, and clinical features of
H. pylori and helminth co-infections will be discussed in this review. Key findings include that helminths induce a Th2-biased and regulatory immune response, potentially counteracting the Th1/Th17
H. pylori-induced inflammation and therefore limiting gastric tissue damage and cancer risk. Certain human studies and animal models concluded that co-infection would be protective against extreme gastric pathology by modulating immunity, altering gut microbiota, and by helminth-secreted extracellular vesicles. Epidemiologic data show large regional heterogeneity in co-infection prevalence with higher rates in children and rural socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Much of the research mechanisms, however, are limited to models in the lab, and few human studies exist. Lastly, helminth co-infection is also potentially immunoprotective against
H. pylori-associated illnesses, but greater translational research and human clinical trials are necessary. Public health policy in endemic regions must consider the complex relationships between co-infecting parasites when developing control.
Full article
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Open AccessReview
Fusobacterium nucleatum and Gastric Cancer: An Emerging Connection
by
Joana Sorino, Mario Della Mura, Giuseppe Ingravallo, Gerardo Cazzato, Cristina Pizzimenti, Valeria Zuccalà, Ludovica Pepe, Emanuela Germanà, Maurizio Martini, Antonio Ieni and Vincenzo Fiorentino
Viewed by 218
Abstract
Fusobacterium nucleatum (
F. nucleatum), a Gram-negative anaerobe traditionally associated with periodontal disease, has recently emerged as a putative contributor to gastric carcinoma (GC) pathogenesis. Beyond its detection in gastric tissues, particularly in patients negative for
Helicobacter pylori (
H. pylori)
[...] Read more.
Fusobacterium nucleatum (
F. nucleatum), a Gram-negative anaerobe traditionally associated with periodontal disease, has recently emerged as a putative contributor to gastric carcinoma (GC) pathogenesis. Beyond its detection in gastric tissues, particularly in patients negative for
Helicobacter pylori (
H. pylori) or in advanced GC cases,
F. nucleatum exerts diverse oncogenic effects. It promotes GC progression by modulating the tumor microenvironment through IL−17/NF-κB signaling, inducing tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs), upregulating PD-L1 expression, and enhancing immune evasion. Moreover, it increases tumor invasiveness via cytoskeletal reorganization, while extracellular vesicles (EVs) induced by the infection contribute to tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Clinically, its presence correlates with increased tumor mutational burden (TMB), venous thromboembolism, and poor prognosis. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the emerging role of
F. nucleatum in gastric tumorigenesis, examines its potential utility as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker within the framework of precision oncology, and outlines the molecular methodologies presently employed for its detection in gastric tissue specimens.
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