Molecular Insights into Probiotics and Prebiotics in Gut Health and Disease
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Microbiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025
Special Issue Editor
Interests: probiotics; prebiotics; intestinal health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The gut microbiota profoundly influences host health through nutrient metabolism and immune regulation. Probiotics and prebiotics modulate the gut microbiota and show potential in preventing and treating intestinal disorders. However, their mechanisms of action and optimal applications require further study. This research is crucial due to the increasing prevalence of gut-related diseases and the need for microbiota-targeted interventions.
This Special Issue, "Molecular Insights into Probiotics and Prebiotics in Gut Health and Disease", aims to provide a focused overview of the latest advancements in this dynamic field and to elucidate the role of probiotics and prebiotics in shaping the gut microbiota and influencing intestinal health and disease pathogenesis.
We are pleased to invite you to participate in this Special Issue, which aims to present the latest research on microbiota-modulating agents used in gastrointestinal health and disease management. This aligns with the scope of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, which focuses on molecular studies in the fields of biology and chemistry, and particularly on molecular biology and medicine. Specifically, this Special Issue explores the etiology and pathogenesis of intestinal diseases; the role of the gut microbiota; and novel therapeutic strategies, including probiotics and prebiotics. The articles published in this Special Issue will explore the mechanisms, impact on the gut barrier and immune responses, and applications of probiotics and prebiotics in preventing and treating gastrointestinal disorders, as well as their implications for overall health via the gut–brain axis.
Original research articles and reviews are welcome.
Their research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Probiotics (and prebiotics) in the modulation of the gut barrier’s integrity;
- Role of probiotics in the production of bioactive molecules and/or antimicrobials and their impact on health;
- The use of probiotics and prebiotics for specific gastrointestinal conditions (irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, clostridium difficile infection, colorectal cancer, etc.);
- Probiotics, prebiotics, and the gut–brain axis (mood disorders, cognitive function, neurodevelopment, and communication);
- Advanced approaches and technologies (omics, synbiotics, engineered probiotics);
- Aspects of their safety and regulation.
I look forward to receiving your contributions.
Prof. Dr. Hikmate Abriouel
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- probiotics
- prebiotics
- gut microbiota
- intestinal health
- dysbiosis
- host–microbe interactions
- omics
- gut–brain axis
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