Mycobacterial Research

Dear Colleagues,

Mycobacteria, with their complex biology and significant impact on human health, are a critical focus of microbiological research. Their ability to cause diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy, combined with their adaptability to diverse host environments, highlights the need to deepen our understanding of their molecular mechanisms, immune interactions, and ecological roles. Mycobacteria’s distinctive cell wall, lipid metabolism, unique metabolic pathways, and ability to develop antimicrobial resistance position them as a key focus in research on infectious diseases, immunology, and microbiome interactions.

Recent advances have shed light on their multifaceted roles through key discoveries:

• Novel insights into mycobacterial slow growth, rapid stress response, and immune evasion strategies;
• Mechanisms of intrinsic and acquired antimicrobial resistance;
• Host–pathogen interactions driving immune responses and co-infection dynamics;
• The influence of the host microbiome on mycobacterial pathogenesis;
• The development of next-generation diagnostics and therapeutics for mycobacterial infections.
• This Special Issue seeks to compile cutting-edge research on the following topics:
• Genomic and proteomic analyses of mycobacterial virulence factors;
• The mechanisms of immune response modulation by mycobacteria;
• Antimicrobial resistance and novel therapeutic targets;
• Co-infections involving mycobacteria and their clinical implications;
• Microbiome–mycobacteria interactions in health and disease;
• Translational research for diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments.

We invite contributions employing multidisciplinary approaches—from molecular biology and immunology to computational modeling and clinical studies—that advance our understanding of mycobacterial biology and its broader implications. Both fundamental research and applied innovations are welcome, including studies that bridge basic science with clinical or public health applications.

Through this collection, we aim to foster new paradigms for understanding mycobacterial pathogenesis and develop innovative solutions to global health challenges posed by these resilient pathogens.

Dr. Kaixia Mi
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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.

• mycobacterial biology
• immune response
• antimicrobial resistance
• co-infections
• microbiome interactions
• therapeutic innovations