Identification and Analysis of Interspecies Interactions in Microbial Biofilms
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: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 7
Special Issue Editor
Interests: microbial communities; gut microbiota; microbiomes; aquatic vertebrates
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Biofilms are nearly ubiquitous and account for a significant fraction of all microbial biomass on Earth. Virtually any surface on the planet is a potential habitat for the formation of a multispecies microbial biofilm. These films are important in medicine, hospitals, industry, water treatment, and ecosystem functions. Many of these biofilms are phylogenetically complex with hundreds of different species sharing, from our perspective, a two-dimensional space. These diverse biofilms are among the most successful communities on our planet. A deeper knowledge of the molecular aspects of interspecies interactions within the biofilm would enhance our understanding of these complicated communities.
To that end, this Special Issue of IJMS focuses on interspecies interactions in biofilms, including all aggressions and alliances that might be formed and their consequences to the biofilm community. How these interactions might impact the colonization of surfaces and shape the mature phylogenetic composition of the biofilm are of particular interest. We encourage submission of manuscripts consistent with the molecular emphasis of the journal that report on new research identifying and describing these interactions as well as new approaches and methodologies that will assist in dissecting all communications between biofilm populations. Regarding experimental approaches, we are particularly interested in reviews of current methods employed in elucidating these interactions. Manuscripts on biofilms from any habitat are also welcome.
Dr. Terence L. Marsh
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- biofilm
- interspecies communication
- biofilm demographics
- competition
- commensalism
- parasitism
- mutualism
- methodologies
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