Advancements in Translational Models: Bridging Basic Infection Research and Clinical Applications

Infection research stands at the forefront of global health initiatives, particularly considering emerging pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. The quest for effective interventions necessitates bridging the gap between basic research findings and clinical applications. Translational models serve as indispensable tools in this effort, facilitating the translation of fundamental discoveries into noticeable outcomes for human health. This research topic delves into the complex landscape of translational models in infection research, exploring their significance, advancements, and potential for addressing pressing infectious disease challenges. Translational models include a range of experimental systems, from in vitro cell cultures to complex in vivo models, each designed to recapitulate features of human infection and disease. These models serve as invaluable platforms for investigating host-pathogen interactions, elucidating disease mechanisms, and evaluating therapeutic strategies. By simulating various aspects of human infection, translational models provide crucial insights into disease pathogenesis and offer preclinical testing grounds for novel interventions. Recent years have witnessed extraordinary progress in the development and refinement of translational models for infection research. Innovative methods such as organ-on-chip platforms, 3D tissue cultures, and humanized animal models have allowed researchers to capture the complexities of host-pathogen dynamics with extraordinary reliability. Furthermore, the integration of omics technologies and computational modeling has enhanced the predictive power of translational models, facilitating the identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

This Research Topic aims to explore the advancements and applications of translational models in infection research. By focusing on the development and refinement of these models, the research seeks to address critical questions regarding their role in elucidating disease mechanisms and evaluating therapeutic strategies. The objective is to assess the effectiveness of innovative translational models in capturing the complexities of host-pathogen interactions and their potential to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical applications. This includes testing hypotheses related to the predictive power of these models in identifying biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

To gather further insights in the realm of translational models in infection research, we welcome Original Research, Method, Review and Mini Review articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• New research on innovative translational models valuable for infection research.
• New or improved translational models that can help in elucidating disease mechanisms or evaluating therapeutic strategies with a focus on infection research.
• Translational research in the field of sepsis, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, wound or soft tissue infections, and bone infections.
• Expert opinion or review in a subject matter focusing on translational models giving new insights in infection research.

Keywords: Infection, Translational Models, Disease 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.