Dear Colleagues,

Emerging and re-emerging pathogens together with drug-resistant microbes pose significant global health challenges. The continuous and complex interchange between environment, animal world, human habits and pathogens represent a growing problem in the treatment of infectious diseases. The scientific explorations of nanoparticles for their inherent therapeutic potencies as antimicrobial and antiviral agents also due to increasing incidences of antibiotic resistance have gained more attention in recent time. The popularity of nanotechnology results from the possibility of obtaining materials that have better chemical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, or optical properties. Nano-sized materials are characterized by an increased surface area to volume ratio, which improves their chemical reactivity. Several investigations have demonstrated the potential of nanoparticles in the treatment of various microbial infections. The therapeutic applications of nanoparticles as either delivery agents or broad spectrum inhibitory agents against viral and microbial infections are ready to be fully exploited.

The broad spectrum antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles is exerted through multifaceted mechanisms. The adhesion of nanoparticles to microbial cells, production of reactive oxygen species, and their penetration inside the cells, have been recognized as the most prominent modes of antimicrobial action. 

The present Special Issue focuses on the antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic potential of nanoparticles and the analysis of their mechanisms of action. The emerging efforts to address current challenges and solutions for the production of nanoparticles and the treatment of infectious diseases will also be considered. We invite authors to submit original or review articles covering all aspects of this topic.

Prof. Massimiliano Galdiero
Dr. Carla Zannella
Dr. Annalisa Chianese
Guest Editors

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. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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.

• nanoparticles
• nanomaterials
• antiviral
• antimicrobial
• drug-delivery