Molecular Mechanisms of Microbe–Skin Interactions
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: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 4860
Special Issue Editor
Interests: microbiology; infection biology; the physiology of staphylococci; lipoproteins as key players in immune response and virulence
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The aim of this Special Issue is to compile a series of original research papers and reviews that focus on the molecular mechanisms of the interaction between microorganisms and the skin. The skin is the largest interface between the host and the environment, and we know that it is colonized with trillions of microorganisms, commensal microbiota, that play an important role in tissue homeostasis and maintaining a symbiotic relationship with the immune system. The skin microbiota is deemed to be in good condition if it is in balance with the skin immune system and protects the skin from pathogens. But under certain circumstances, we know that the skin microbiota can be remodeled over time to a predominantly ‘bad’ population. However, finding out which are the good bugs and which are the bad bugs is not so easy to determine.
We are planning a series of publications that will shed light on the interaction between microorganisms and the skin at the molecular and physiological levels. The questions we would like to address are as follows: how do representatives of the skin microbiota manage to form such a long-lasting bond with the skin; how do they adhere to skin cells; how do they manage to survive and persist at low pH, high fatty acid content, and the presence of defensins; how do they outwit the immune system; how do microbial metabolites control the immune system and peripheral neuro system; how can pathogenic microorganisms can take over; and how they damage the skin and trigger the development of chronic skin diseases.
With this range of selected topics, we hope to contribute to a better understanding of the skin and its inhabitants.
Dr. Friedrich Götz
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- colonization
- cosmetics
- diseases (e.g., acne, diabetic foot syndrome (DFS), psoriasis, etc.)
- health
- immunity
- lipidomics
- metabolomics
- metagenomics
- neurotransmitter
- physiology
- skin habitat
- skin microbiota
- prebiotics
- probiotics
- wound healing
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