Bacteriophages as Precision Tools for Microbiome Modulation

Dear Colleagues,

Microbiomes play a fundamental role in maintaining the health and stability of their hosts, from humans and animals to plants. There is a growing interest in identifying precise and sustainable methods for selectively modulating microbial communities. Bacteriophages—viruses that specifically infect bacteria—are emerging as promising bio-control agents and phagobiotics capable of shaping microbiome composition and function across diverse ecosystems.

This Special Issue focuses on the ecological, molecular, and immunological aspects of phage–microbiome interactions. We invite research and review articles exploring the role of endogenous phages (the phageome) in maintaining homeostasis, regulating microbiome stability, and influencing host immunity. Relevant topics include prophage induction and its contribution to dysbiosis, phage-mediated interbacterial dynamics, and the cascading effects on microbial diversity. In particular, we welcome studies addressing phage applications in animals, plants, and humans, including their immunomodulatory potential and use as targeted biopreparations or supplements.

Moreover, we encourage submissions employing bioinformatics and computational approaches to analyze phage and microbiome interactions, including metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, and systems biology analyses. Such tools are invaluable for uncovering the diversity, evolutionary relationships, and functional potential of phages within complex microbial ecosystems, and for modeling their impact on host physiology and ecological networks.

A comprehensive understanding of phage–bacteria–host interactions across different biological systems will be essential for developing next-generation phage-based tools to promote health, resilience, and ecological balance.

We look forward to your contributions.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Applied Sciences.

Dr. Michał Wójcicki
Dr. Iwona Gientka
Dr. Paulina Średnicka
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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