Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Multidrug Resistance
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: 30 November 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: Bacterial infections, MDR bacteria, antimicrobial stewardship, antibiotics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: Antibiotic resistance, Phage therapy, Bacteria, Cefiderocol, A. baumannii
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Antimicrobial resistance represents one of the most urgent threats to global public health. Multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens are increasingly responsible for severe infections associated with limited therapeutic options, higher morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs. The emergence and spread of resistance are driven by complex molecular mechanisms, including enzymatic drug inactivation, target modification, reduced permeability, active efflux, biofilm formation, adaptive stress responses, and horizontal gene transfer.
Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, structural biology, and molecular epidemiology have greatly improved our understanding of how bacteria acquire, regulate, and disseminate resistance determinants. However, the continuous evolution of multidrug-resistant organisms, including Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens, requires further investigation into the molecular basis of resistance and its clinical, ecological, and therapeutic implications.
We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, “Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Multidrug Resistance,” which aims to collect high-quality original research articles and reviews focused on the mechanisms underlying antimicrobial resistance in clinically and environmentally relevant bacteria.
This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge and recent advances in the molecular mechanisms of multidrug resistance. The topic is closely aligned with the journal’s scope in microbiology, infectious diseases, molecular biology, antimicrobial therapy, microbial genetics, and host–pathogen interactions. By bringing together studies from basic, translational, and clinical research, this Special Issue seeks to improve our understanding of bacterial resistance and support the development of innovative diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies.
In this Special Issue, original research articles, brief reports, systematic reviews, narrative reviews, and perspectives are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria
- Carbapenemases, extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), and other resistance enzymes
- Resistance mechanisms in major multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, including Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacterales, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), and other emerging pathogens
- Efflux pumps, porin alterations, and permeability defects
- Biofilm-associated antimicrobial resistance
- Horizontal gene transfer, plasmids, integrons, transposons, and mobile genetic elements
- Genomic and transcriptomic approaches to antimicrobial resistance
- Evolution, adaptation, and fitness costs of resistance
- Molecular epidemiology and transmission of MDR bacteria
- Resistance to last-line antimicrobials, including polymyxins, cefiderocol, novel beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations, glycopeptides, and oxazolidinones
- Diagnostic tools for detecting resistance mechanisms
- Novel therapeutic strategies targeting resistance mechanisms
We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to this Special Issue.
Dr. Andrea Marino
Dr. Stefano Stracquadanio
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Multidrug resistance
- Horizontal gene transfer
- Biofilms
- Molecular epidemiology
- Efflux pumps
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
