Applications of Multi-omics Technologies to Comprehend Properties and Functions of Probiotics

Dear Colleagues,

Omics technologies and bioinformatics analyses have become significantly important in assessing the safety and unraveling the mechanisms behind the functional properties of probiotics which are defined as living microorganisms with beneficial effects on the host by modifying their microbiota, inhibiting pathogens, increasing the efficiency of food/feed assimilation, and modulating the immune response. In this context, bacteriocin-producing probiotic strains have gained attention for their capability to synthesize antimicrobial peptides that inhibit pathogens, and thus, they have been proposed as an alternative to address the global problem of the spread of multiresistant bacteria. Data obtained from Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis of microorganisms provide information on (i) the absence of traits of concern, which include virulence factors and resistance to antibiotics of clinical relevance for humans and animals, and (ii) their potential functional features with application in agri-food and pharmaceutical industries such as the production of bacteriocins, and the synthesis of B-group vitamins and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), amongst other beneficial characteristics. This information is helpful for the safety assessment of microorganisms subjected to a premarket authorization process and the establishment of their efficacy when used in the food chain or as strains that produce substances of interest in human and veterinary medicine, animal production, and food industry. On the other hand, transcriptomics, which involves the study of gene expression of a microorganism under the influence of different conditions, provides a complete picture of the total transcripts of the cells, which allows understanding the functional significance of their behavior in nature to adapt to environmental conditions. In addition, omics approaches also provide insight into the specific interaction between microorganisms and host cells, and their role in host physiology, nutrition, and immune response.

The topics of this Special Issue include, but are not limited to:

1. Omics technologies (Whole Genome Sequencing, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics).
2. Bioinformatics analysis of omics data.
3. Safety assessment of microorganisms intended to be used in the food and feed chain.
4. Characterization and functional analysis of potential probiotics.
5. Microorganisms producing new antimicrobial peptides (bacteriocins).
6. Mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of the synthesis of bacteriocins.
7. Modulatory effects of antimicrobial peptides and other metabolites produced by microorganisms on immune and epithelial cells.
8. Beneficial effects of probiotics on humans and animals.
9. Applications of beneficial microorganisms and bacteriocins in food and pharmaceutical industries. 

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews addressing these topics are welcome.

Dr. Estefanía Muñoz-Atienza
Guest Editor

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• microbiology
• food
• probiotics
• antimicrobial peptides
• omics technologies
• Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)
• transcriptomics
• bioinformatics