About this Research Topic
The natural occurrence as well as the excessive use in a wide range of anthropogenic activities generates a continuous and increasing exposure to metals and metalloids. Whether having an essential biological role or not, at high concentrations metal are extremely toxic as well as stable and recalcitrant. Microorganisms, often the first encounters, play an important role in the interaction with metals, leading to adaptation, development and/or acquisition of resistance. On the one hand, these processes can be applied to use relevant strains and communities for removing metals, or converting their speciation, from contaminated environments or the green synthesis of metal-based compounds (such as nanoparticles). On the other hand, it warrants caution in the widespread applications of metal-based antimicrobials, which are explored to offer solutions for the threat of antibiotic resistance.
The goal of this research topic is to group the latest research on the genetics and molecular mechanisms deployed by model bacteria, pathogenic and biotechnological-relevant strains as well as communities to adapt and resist metals. Although metal resistance in bacteria has been studied for 6 decades, new technologies are constantly filling knowledge gaps in mechanisms and applications. As such, novel routes for coping with metals for sanitation of contaminated environments and/or recovery should be increasingly explored, as well as those mechanisms that can be exploited to produce metal-based compounds in an eco-friendly manner. In addition, grouping studies concerning microbial metal resistance would allow evaluating the benefits and drawbacks of the increased use of metal-based antimicrobials as alternative strategies to combat infections, and any collateral damage of influencing antibiotic resistance.
We welcome studies that investigate and discuss the following themes:
• Genetics and molecular mechanisms of microbial metal - metalloid resistance,
• Mechanism of action of metal-based antimicrobials,
• Use and evaluation of microorganisms for the synthesis of metal-based nanoparticles,
• Impact of metals on horizontal gene transfer and mobile genetic elements,
• Impact of metals on the development of antimicrobial resistance,
• The link and interplay between metal and antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria,
• Effects of metals on microbial strains and community dynamics
• Use of metal-based antimicrobials effect on human or animal microbiomes
• Microbial strategies for sequestration and recovery of precious and rare earth metals.
• Microbe interactions with lanthanides and actinides.
The goal of this research topic is to group the latest research on the genetics and molecular mechanisms deployed by model bacteria, pathogenic and biotechnological-relevant strains as well as communities to adapt and resist metals. Although metal resistance in bacteria has been studied for 6 decades, new technologies are constantly filling knowledge gaps in mechanisms and applications. As such, novel routes for coping with metals for sanitation of contaminated environments and/or recovery should be increasingly explored, as well as those mechanisms that can be exploited to produce metal-based compounds in an eco-friendly manner. In addition, grouping studies concerning microbial metal resistance would allow evaluating the benefits and drawbacks of the increased use of metal-based antimicrobials as alternative strategies to combat infections, and any collateral damage of influencing antibiotic resistance.
We welcome studies that investigate and discuss the following themes:
• Genetics and molecular mechanisms of microbial metal - metalloid resistance,
• Mechanism of action of metal-based antimicrobials,
• Use and evaluation of microorganisms for the synthesis of metal-based nanoparticles,
• Impact of metals on horizontal gene transfer and mobile genetic elements,
• Impact of metals on the development of antimicrobial resistance,
• The link and interplay between metal and antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria,
• Effects of metals on microbial strains and community dynamics
• Use of metal-based antimicrobials effect on human or animal microbiomes
• Microbial strategies for sequestration and recovery of precious and rare earth metals.
• Microbe interactions with lanthanides and actinides.
Keywords: Adaptation, Resistance, Metals, Tolerance, Resistance mechanisms
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
