BMC Biology is calling for submissions to our Collection on Aging microenvironment and disease. This Collection aims to help our understanding about the molecular mechanisms and cellular processes that affect the tissue microenvironment during aging and aging-related diseases, as well as the implications in the development of novel therapeutic interventions to restore the aging microenvironment.

We welcome studies using spatiotemporal multi-omics and advanced imaging approaches to explore the aging microenvironment, using animal models, human tissue, or organoids. We especially highlight submissions focused on the contribution of aging-related changes to diseases, including cancer, chronic inflammation, lung, hepatic and cardiac fibrosis, vascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and chronic kidney disease.

Potential topics for submission may include, but are not limited to:

Genome instability, epigenetic alterations, telomere attrition, disabled autophagy and loss of proteostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction in the aging microenvironment.

Cellular senescence and associated secretory phenotype, stem cell exhaustion, and changes in the stem cell niche, such as alterations in the extracellular matrix, chronic inflammation, fibrosis, vascular niche reprogramming and remodeling.

Intercellular communications and inter-organ cross-talk.

Metabolic alterations in different cell types and their influence on the aging microenvironment and age-related diseases.

Potential therapeutic targets of the aging microenvironment.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

BMC Biology is calling for submissions on our Collection on Human microbiome in health and disease. The human microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining health. Comprising trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea, the microbiome influences various physiological processes, such as metabolism, immune function, and even mental health through pathways like the gut-brain axis. Recent advances in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics have enabled researchers to explore the intricate relationships between the microbiome and human health, revealing its potential as a target for therapeutic interventions.

Continuing to advance our understanding of the human microbiome is essential for developing novel strategies to prevent and treat diseases. Significant progress has been made in identifying specific microbial signatures associated with conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer, as well as understanding the impact of antibiotics on microbial diversity. These insights have opened new avenues for personalized medicine, where microbiome profiling could guide treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.

As research in this field progresses, we can anticipate exciting developments, including the potential for microbiome-based therapies, such as probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation, to become mainstream treatments. Furthermore, ongoing studies may uncover the role of the microbiome in modulating responses to immunotherapy in cancer patients, leading to more effective and tailored treatment approaches.

Potential topics for submission include, but are not limited to:

The role of the gut, oral, skin, and vaginal microbiome in health and disease

Microbial ecosystems and their impact on the immune system

The gut-brain axis: implications for mental health

The connection between the microbiome and neurodegenerative diseases

Evolution of the human microbiome across different populations

Effects of antibiotics on microbiome diversity

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.