Decoding the Microbial Influence on Host Gene Expression
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 August 2026 | Viewed by 762
Special Issue Editors
2. Department of Biomedicine and Experimental Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland
Interests: carcinogenesis; functional genomics; high-throughput sequencing; in silico; transcription factors
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Interests: anticancer activity; apoptosis; cell death; combination therapy; cu-proptosis; cytotoxicity; DNA damage; DNA repair; drug design; ferroptosis; necroptosis; proliferation; pyra-zoles; tetrazoles; triazines
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The human microbiome, a diverse ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, colonizes various body sites and plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and driving disease-related phenomena. Microbiota regulates host gene expression through complex bidirectional interactions occurring in both cellular and extracellular environments. Microbiome-derived signals (such as transcripts, metabolites, enzymes, and changes in pH) are detected by host cells via extracellular receptors or following intracellular entry. These signals influence key regulatory mechanisms, including transcription factor (TF) binding, DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility, transcription initiation, and alternative splicing, ultimately leading to changes in gene and protein expressions. Conversely, host-derived proteins affect microbial growth and gene expressions, creating a dynamic feedback loop.
This Special Issue invites research studies that expand the knowledge of the already known microbiota–host axis, but more importantly, it favors research studies that explore new relationships. Given the ability of microbiota to influence host gene expression independent of chromatin accessibility (e.g. via epigenetic modifications or changes in the TF expression), studies exploring this are especially valued. We welcome original studies in the form of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo investigations, with exploratory and bioinformatics-based approaches being encouraged in cases of conceptually novel relationships. Papers that fall outside these criteria will also be considered.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Damian Kołat
Dr. Mateusz Kciuk
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- microbiota
- host
- gene expression
- in silico
- bioinformatics
- in vitro
- in vivo
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