Molecular Mechanisms Governing the Environmental Fate of Bacterial and Viral Pathogens
A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026 | Viewed by 10
Special Issue Editors
Interests: viruses; microbial persistence; microbial interactions; wastewater-based epidemiology; disinfection
2. BioEnvironmental Science Program, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
3. Center of Research Excellence in Wastewater Based Epidemiology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
Interests: wastewater based epidemiology; climate change; infectious diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce this Special Issue on “Molecular Mechanisms Governing the Environmental Fate of Bacterial and Viral Pathogens”. Understanding how pathogens persist, adapt, and interact within diverse environmental matrices is fundamental to protecting public health and maintaining ecosystem integrity. Once released into the environment (through wastewater discharge, agricultural runoff, or other anthropogenic pathways), bacterial and viral pathogens encounter complex stressors that influence their survival, infectivity, and potential for transmission. Recent advances in molecular biology, genomics, and environmental microbiology are uncovering the intricate mechanisms that underpin pathogen persistence. These include stress response systems, biofilm formation, structural adaptations, and genetic exchanges that enhance resistance to environmental pressures. By integrating molecular insights with environmental processes, researchers can better predict pathogen behavior and develop effective strategies for monitoring and control. This Special Issue invites contributions that explore the molecular, ecological, and evolutionary factors shaping the environmental fate of pathogens. We welcome original research, reviews, and perspectives that advance the understanding of pathogen survival, gene transfer, and inactivation across natural and engineered systems. Together, these studies will contribute to a more comprehensive view of microbial risks and resilience in the environment.
Dr. Justin Greaves
Dr. Samendra Sherchan
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 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.
Keywords
- decay
- transport
- viruses
- infectivity
- disinfection
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