Living with Biological Agents and Pandemics: Lessons Learned at the Cellular and Molecular Level

Humans are the most dominating species in the biome that comprises approximately 15 million species including human beings and other animals, plants, and biological agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms as well as their associated toxins like pesticides and dioxins. However, we are constantly involved in a battle with biological agents that can adversely affect human health in a variety of ways, ranging from relatively mild, allergic reactions to serious medical conditions—even death. Humans have become successful in adopting a coevolutionary mutualism with plants and animals for growth, development and survival; however, we largely remained nescient about the biochemistry of pathophysiological and cellular processes especially what goes at cellular and molecular level in response to biological agents to date. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of infection at the molecular level, effects on transcriptional and translational landscape as well as biomarker signatures and molecular pathways are necessary to develop appropriate protective mechanisms against biological agents. Additionally, we are living in a world where global connectivity is at its extreme, which opens the possibility and heightens the probability for future epidemics/pandemics.

The Guest-Editors of this Research Topic welcome original research articles, perspectives, methods, and reviews, and aim to assemble a collection of articles highlighting, but not limited to:

• Impact of biological agents on transcriptional and translational landscapes
• Novel and altered or modified biochemical and signal transduction pathways
• Cell responses and cytoskeleton dynamics against biological agents
• Biotherapeutics development against biological agents
• Cell membrane dynamics and extracellular vesicles secretion in response to biological agents
• The role of mitochondria, apoptosis and other cell death mechanisms in disease development in response to biological agents
• Impact of pesticides and dioxins on cellular biochemistry
• Biochemical basis of the cellular and molecular responses to disease states and environmental triggers
• Biochemistry of pathophysiological processes

This will favor a better understanding of these aspects that will enable the development of novel therapies and better management of the diseases.