About this Research Topic
This Research Topic aims to collect selected contributions from the speakers and attendees to the virtual conference “Innate immunity in a biomineralized context: trade-offs or synergies?”, held on 23rd-24th of March 2021. It also aims to bring together scientists working with diverse models of biomineralization, from the little-studied perspective of innate immune function. Topics will encompass microbiota, the roles played by specific genes/proteins, cells, and all other mechanisms of defences of mineralized structures including encapsulation. We welcome the contribution of Original Research articles, Reviews and Mini Reviews which cover, but are not limited to, the following subtopics:
• Innate immunity as an overarching functional theme, including osteoimmunity, immunotolerance and encapsulation.
• Diverse biomineralized systems and innate immunity:
o Marine bivalves / molluscs / gastropods
o Avian eggshell (both unfertilized and embryonated)
o Bone
o Corals
o Teeth
• Levels of investigation: molecules, cell, tissue, structure of the mineralized structure/organism and their associated/interacting elements (supporting structures like eggshell membranes and microbiota for avian eggshells, for example)
• Adaption to environmental/physiological changes (acidification/decalcification, host-microbe interactions, symbiosis, development, ageing)
• Structural and molecular conservation across different animal species
• Comparative biology/immunology: specific and shared mechanisms/molecules
Keywords: Innate immunity, mineral structure, microbiota, adaption, symbiosis, avian eggshell, mollusc, bivalve, gastropod, bone, coral
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.