Microbial Stress: From Model Organisms to Applications in Food, Microbiotechnology and Medicine

Microbial stress responses have evolved to enable micro-organisms to survive and even thrive in many diverse and varying environments, from extremes of temperature and pressure in the deep oceans to the human gut. The stressors that trigger microbial responses are many and the types of response have profound effects on microbial physiology. They result not just in survival, but also in the manifestation of new metabolic and phenotypic traits. They can for example lead to the expression of virulence traits, specific biological activities that can be exploited for biotechnological purposes, or metabolic activities that allow organisms to co-exist in communities with other species. Examples of stressors of particular importance include weak organic acids and low pH, the adaptive responses of microbial pathogens to their environments, and oxidative and metal stress. Responses to these and other stressors can occur at many levels, including transcriptional and translational changes, as reported in previous Research Topics.

This Research Topic aims to attract contributions to stimulate further scientific progress in this field, by encouraging the submission of articles in fundamental research as well as in relevant applications in areas such as food, agriculture, microbiotechnology and medicine. Microbial stress-related phenomena can determine the effectiveness of microbial biotransformations in numerous fields. In the agri-food industry, they are relevant to crop protection, food spoilage and preservation, fermented and functional food formulation, and probiotic development. With regard to environmental applications they impact bioremediation, biogas production, metal recovery and nanoparticle production. In biotechnology, understanding microbial stress responses may be relevant to production of microorganisms better adapted to harsh conditions and the design of more resilient industrial processes. In medicine, host-pathogen interactions, antimicrobial resistance and human microbiota research all need information on microbial response to the different stressors.

This Research Topic aims to attract contributions from COST Action EuroMicropH ("Understanding and exploiting the impact of low pH on micro-organism"), but also beyond, from outstanding scientists all over the world working in this field. Particular aims are to facilitate translation of methodologies and approaches used between different fields, leading to better understanding and exploitation of these responses by stimulating collaborations across disciplines. Contributions from methodological and functional studies on model microorganisms, lab-evolved strains and on food-, biotechnology- and health-relevant microorganism are strongly encouraged. We look forward to considering your contribution as part of this Research Topic!