Bacteriophages in the One Health Perspective: From Infection Therapy to Precision Medicine Through Diagnostics
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 August 2026 | Viewed by 1
Special Issue Editor
Interests: biology of bacteriophages; biodiversity of bacteriophages; regulation of bacteriophage development; regulation of phage gene expression; control of phage DNA replication; phage therapy; phages bearing genes of toxins; bacteriophage genomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In the face of the growing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and the increasing challenges related to the health security of humans, animals, and the environment, bacteriophages are once again gaining prominence in scientific research and clinical practice. This Special Issue is dedicated to the multidimensional applications of bacteriophage therapy within the One Health concept, which emphasizes the close interconnections between human and animal health as well as production and natural ecosystems.
Traditionally, bacteriophages have been regarded primarily as highly specific agents capable of eliminating pathogenic bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains. In this Special Issue, particular attention is given to their use in the treatment of human infections, as well as in the prevention and therapy of bacterial infections in industrial animal farming and in safeguarding the health of aquaculture organisms. Both preclinical and clinical studies in human medicine and veterinary medicine will be discussed, along with the challenges associated with translating phage therapy into practice, including regulatory issues, safety considerations, and effects on the microbiome.
At the same time, the thematic scope of this issue extends beyond the classical antimicrobial applications of bacteriophages. A growing body of research highlights the potential of bacteriophages as innovative tools in precision medicine. This Special Issue invites contributions from researchers exploring the use of bacteriophages as carriers for drugs and bioactive compounds, including applications in oncological and neurodegenerative diseases, enabling targeted and controlled therapeutic delivery.
This Special Issue will also examine the application of bacteriophages in diagnostics. Novel approaches exploiting phage specificity for the rapid detection of pathogens, monitoring of microbiological contamination, and identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in human medicine, veterinary practice, and natural environments will be presented.
The Special Issue is interdisciplinary in nature and provides a platform for knowledge exchange among scientists, clinicians, veterinarians, biotechnologists, and experts in public health and food production. Its aim is to present bacteriophages not merely as an “alternative to antibiotics,” but as versatile tools of modern medicine and biotechnology, aligned with an integrated approach to the health of humans, animals, and the environment.
Prof. Dr. Alicja Wegrzyn
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- bacteriophages
- one health concept
- bacteriophage therapy
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