Molecular Structure and Functional Dynamics of Bacterial Toxins in Pathogenesis and Biomedical Innovation
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Microbiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 85
Editors
2. Biomedical Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, Thaksin University, Phatthalung, Thailand
Interests: toxin-inspired antimicrobial therapeutics; bacteriocin engineering and design
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue focuses on the molecular structure, functional mechanisms, and translational potential of bacterial toxins, linking fundamental toxin biology with biomedical applications in therapeutics, diagnostics, and biotechnology.
- Introduction
Bacterial toxins are highly specialized molecular machines that drive microbial virulence and shape host–pathogen interactions. Their structural diversity and dynamic mechanisms enable precise cellular targeting, immune modulation, and disruption of essential biological processes. Recent advances in cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, and computational modeling now provide the ability to investigate toxin structure–function relationships in unprecedented resolution.
Beyond their pathogenic roles, bacterial toxins are increasingly being exploited as versatile platforms for biomedical innovation. Their specificity and modularity enable applications in targeted therapeutics, immunotoxins, drug delivery, vaccines, and biosensors, positioning them at the interface of molecular science and translational research.
- Aim of the Special Issue
This Special Issue aims to capture state-of-the-art advances in bacterial toxin research, integrating molecular insights with functional and translational perspectives. It will highlight how structural and mechanistic understanding can be leveraged to drive innovation in biomedical applications, in line with IJMS's scope.
- Suggested themes and article types for submissions
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to:
- Structural and mechanistic studies of bacterial toxins;
- Host interaction, cellular targeting, and pathogenesis;
- Functional dynamics, regulation, and secretion systems;
- Evolution, diversity, and toxin-related systems;
- Protein engineering and synthetic biology of toxins;
- Biomedical applications (e.g., toxin-based therapeutics, immunotoxins, drug delivery, vaccines, biosensors).
Interdisciplinary studies that connect molecular-level discoveries with translational or clinical relevance are especially encouraged.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Chanan Angsuthanasombat
Dr. Aijaz Malik
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- bacterial toxins
- structural biology
- host–pathogen interactions
- toxin mechanisms
- protein engineering
- immunotoxins
- synthetic biology
- antimicrobial strategies
- drug delivery
- translational research
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