About this Research Topic

Background

Please note that Systems Microbiology does not consider descriptive studies that are solely based on amplicon (e.g., 16S rRNA) profiles, unless they are accompanied by a clear hypothesis and experimentation, and provide insight into the microbiological system or process being studied.

As a hidden 'organ' in the holobiont, trillions of symbiotic bacteria inhabiting the mammalian gut lumen exert complex functions to maintain host homeostasis, including potential influences on drug metabolism. With the rapid development of omics technologies, there is growing evidence to suggest that gut microbiota regulates host and drug metabolism through various avenues. Interestingly, studies have found that approximately two-thirds of common drugs are chemically modified by at least one bacterium among 76 bacteria from the human gut, providing a possible explanation for the variation in therapeutic outcomes observed between individuals administered the same drug.

It is worth noting that commensal microbiota has been thought to play a role reminiscent of a double-edged sword, potentially increasing drug efficacy, but in some cases increasing the toxicity and decreasing the stability of compounds. For example, a prominent ginseng compound, ginsenosides, can be converted into active compound K by β-glucosidase and β-glycosidase, produced by lactic acid bacteria. Conversely, bacteria within the gut have been found to increase the toxicity of irinotecan via the production of β-glucuronidase. Additionally, studies have shown that certain gut bacteria disrupt the detoxification mechanism of acetaminophen by a competitive decrease of sulfotransferase. Moreover, Eggerthella lenta is thought to be responsible for the inactivation of a cardiac glycoside, digoxin, through glycoside reductase. However, current evidence exploring the relationship between gut microbiota and drug metabolism is still largely insufficient. Furthering our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the modulation of drug metabolism by gut microbiota will be important as this may facilitate the identification of potential therapeutic targets in drug development and personalized medicine.

Thus, through this Research Topic, 'The Role of Commensal Microbiota in Drug Metabolism: Friend or Foe?', we aim to explore how commensal microbiota directly or indirectly affect drug metabolism, and the potential mechanisms through which this is achieved. This collection welcomes the submission of article types including Original Research, Review, and Mini Review, that explore the dynamics between gut microbiota and drug metabolism. We particularly encourage submissions on the following, but not limited to, sub-topics:

1) Exploring the impact of microbiota-host co-metabolism on drugs.
2) Studying the effect of commensal microbiota on host drug metabolism.
3) Examining whether drugs are metabolized by commensal microbiota directly or indirectly.
4) Investigating whether drug metabolism can be regulated through manipulating commensal microbiota.
5) Considering the potential of personalized drug regimens based on commensal microbiota and human genetic factors.

Keywords: Drug metabolism, Gut microbiome, Metagenomics, Herbal medicine, Precision medicine, Personalized medicine, Biotransformation, Microbe-Host Co-Metabolism, Xenobiotic

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.

Frequently asked questions

• What is a Research Topic?

  Frontiers' Research Topics are collaborative hubs built around an emerging theme.Defined, managed, and led by renowned researchers, they bring communities together around a shared area of interest to stimulate collaboration and innovation.

  Unlike section journals, which serve established specialty communities, Research Topics are pioneer hubs, responding to the evolving scientific landscape and catering to new communities.

• Why does Frontiers publish Research Topics? 

  The goal of Frontiers' publishing program is to empower research communities to actively steer the course of scientific publishing. Our program was implemented as a three-part unit with fixed field journals, flexible specialty sections, and dynamically emerging Research Topics, connecting communities of different sizes and maturity.

  Research Topics originate from the scientific community. Many of our Research Topics are suggested by existing editorial board members who have identified critical challenges or areas of interest in their field.

• Why are Research Topics important for journals?

  As an editor, Research Topics will help you build your journal, as well as your community, around emerging, cutting-edge research. As research trailblazers, Research Topics attract high-quality submissions from leading experts all over the world.

  A thriving Research Topic can potentially evolve into a new specialty section if there is sustained interest and a growing community around it.

• How do we ensure the quality of articles within Research Topics?

  Each Research Topic must be approved by the specialty chief editor, and it falls under the editorial oversight of our editorial boards, supported by our in-house research integrity team. The same standards and rigorous peer review processes apply to articles published as part of a Research Topic as for any other article we publish.

  In 2023, 80% of the Research Topics we published were edited or co-edited by our editorial board members, who are already familiar with their journal's scope, ethos, and publishing model. All other topics are guest edited by leaders in their field, each vetted and formally approved by the specialty chief editor.

• What are the benefits of publishing my article in a Research Topic?

  Publishing your article within a Research Topic with other related articles increases its discoverability and visibility, which can lead to more views, downloads, and citations. Research Topics grow dynamically as more published articles are added, causing frequent revisiting, and further visibility.

  As Research Topics are multidisciplinary, they are cross-listed in several fields and section journals – increasing your reach even more and giving you the chance to expand your network and collaborate with researchers in different fields, all focusing on expanding knowledge around the same important topic.

  Our larger Research Topics are also converted into ebooks and receive social media promotion from our digital marketing team.

   
• What types of articles can be published in a Research Topic?

  Frontiers offers multiple article types, but it will depend on the field and section journals in which the Research Topic will be featured. The available article types for a Research Topic will appear in the drop-down menu during the submission process.

  Check available article types here 

• Can I suggest a new Research Topic? 

  Yes, we would love to hear your ideas for a topic. Most of our Research Topics are community-led and suggested by researchers in the field. Our in-house editorial team will contact you to talk about your idea and whether you’d like to edit the topic. If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. 

  Suggest your topic here 

• Who leads a Research Topic? 

  A team of guest editors (called topic editors) lead their Research Topic. This editorial team oversees the entire process, from the initial topic proposal to calls for participation, the peer review, and final publications.

  The team may also include topic coordinators, who help the topic editors send calls for participation, liaise with topic editors on abstracts, and support contributing authors. In some cases, they can also be assigned as reviewers.

• What is the role of a topic editor?

  As a topic editor (TE), you will take the lead on all editorial decisions for the Research Topic, starting with defining its scope. This allows you to curate research around a topic that interests you, bring together different perspectives from leading researchers across different fields and shape the future of your field. 

   

  You will choose your team of co-editors, curate a list of potential authors, send calls for participation and oversee the peer review process, accepting or recommending rejection for each manuscript submitted.

• What support will I receive when editing a new Research Topic? 

  As a topic editor, you're supported at every stage by our in-house team. You will be assigned a single point of contact to help you on both editorial and technical matters. Your topic is managed through our user-friendly online platform, and the peer review process is supported by our industry-first AI review assistant (AIRA).

• As a junior researcher, can I be involved in editing a Research Topic? 

  If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. This provides you with valuable editorial experience, improving your ability to critically evaluate research articles and enhancing your understanding of the quality standards and requirements for scientific publishing, as well as the opportunity to discover new research in your field, and expand your professional network.

• Can I get a certificate for editing a Research Topic?

  Yes, certificates can be issued on request. We are happy to provide a certificate for your contribution to editing a successful Research Topic.

• Who will I collaborate with?

  Research Topics thrive on collaboration and their multi-disciplinary approach around emerging, cutting-edge themes, attract leading researchers from all over the world.

• How long does it take to publish a Research Topic?

  As a topic editor, you can set the timeline for your Research Topic, and we will work with you at your pace. Typically, Research Topics are online and open for submissions within a few weeks and remain open for participation for 6 – 12 months. Individual articles within a Research Topic are published as soon as they are ready.

  Find out more about our Research Topics

• What fee support is available to authors publishing in a Research Topic?

  Our fee support program ensures that all articles that pass peer review, including those published in Research Topics, can benefit from open access – regardless of the author's field or funding situation.

  Authors and institutions with insufficient funding can apply for a discount on their publishing fees. A fee support application form is available on our website.

• Will there be a printed version of my Research Topic?

  In line with our mission to promote healthy lives on a healthy planet, we do not provide printed materials. All our articles and ebooks are available under a CC-BY license, so you can share and print copies.