Phage and Quorum Sensing
A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Bacterial Viruses".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 19
Special Issue Editors
Interests: microbial biotechnology; environmental biotechnology; algal biotechnology; agricultural biotechnology; plant–microbe interactions
Interests: environmental biotechnology; fundamental phage biology; phage–bacteria interactions; phage resistance; marine biotechnology
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
It is with great pleasure that we host this Special Issue of Viruses dedicated to a rapidly emerging area of basic bacteriophage research with significant clinical potential. Increasing evidence suggests that quorum sensing (QS) cascades across diverse bacterial species regulate not only bacterial behaviour and phenotypic traits, but also interactions with both abiotic and biotic environmental factors, including their natural predators—bacteriophages. Furthermore, detailed genomic analyses have demonstrated that many bacteriophages harbour genes associated with the modulation of host quorum sensing systems. Notably, the prophage-encoded Arbitrium system has also revealed that certain bacteriophages can regulate their population density through peptide-based communication operons. A growing body of research highlights a strong correlation between quorum sensing, quorum quenching mechanisms, and the dynamics of lytic and lysogenic phage interactions. These interactions present promising avenues for therapeutic exploitation, particularly against clinically relevant bacterial pathogens, and may also enhance our understanding of phage–bacteria relationships in environmental contexts. In this Special Issue, we welcome the submission of original research articles and comprehensive reviews that explore the complex interplay between bacterial quorum sensing systems and bacteriophages or prophages—either during or following interaction. We are also particularly interested in contributions addressing phage-encoded quorum sensing systems and mechanisms. Additionally, we invite studies that propose innovative strategies to harness these interactions in order to advance the development of more effective bacteriophage-based therapies.
Prof. Dr. Emmanouil Flemetakis
Dr. Dimitrios Skliros
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- quorum sensing
- quorum quenching
- phage–bacteria interaction
- auto-induced peptides
- phage therapy
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