Metals in Microorganisms: From Cellular Mechanisms to Microbial Communities

Dear Colleagues,

Metals play significant roles in cellular systems. They are critical for the structural stability and the activity of approximately one-third of all proteins and are thus essential for many cellular reactions. Although they are essential, an excess of metal ions can be harmful for the cell. In order to adapt to various metal concentrations, cells have developed diverse mechanisms to regulate metal contents, including transport and signalization. On the other hand, non-essential metals with unknown biological functions can be toxic, even at very low concentrations. The presence of heavy metals in natural environments induces various toxic effects. Studying how organisms acquire, utilize, and detoxify metals is thus critical to our understanding of biological processes and their relevance regarding natural environments, human health, and wildlife.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight current studies and knowledge regarding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of metal acquisition, regulation, biotransformation, and resistance carried out by microorganisms. This Special Issue also deals with the impact of metal at a higher biological scale of complexity since metals drive microbial community composition and dynamics. Studies on the role of metals in community structuration and the capacity of microbial communities to transform, sequester, and detoxify ecosystems are also welcome.

Dr. Marisol Goñi-Urriza
Dr. Bahia Khalfaoui-Hassani
Guest Editors

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