Topic: Multikingdom Microbe-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: From Biogenesis to Applications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and archaea, are crucial mediators of intercellular communication. The secretion of these nanoscale lipid vesicles is a prevalent biological phenomenon across various ecosystems. EVs carry proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites, enabling microorganisms to influence their local environments and engage in complex interactions with distant hosts. Microbial EVs play vital roles in human health, animal physiology, plant-pathogen interactions, soil nutrient cycling, and aquatic microbial dynamics.

This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research that elucidates the mechanisms, functions, and applications of EVs secreted by microorganisms. The scope encompasses various aspects, including EV biogenesis, molecular interactions, and technological or therapeutic applications, across multiple biological systems such as humans, animals, plants, and the environment. By integrating insights from these diverse fields, this issue seeks to provide new perspectives and a deeper understanding of microbial EVs in health, disease, and ecosystem functioning.

We invite original research articles and comprehensive reviews that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

1. Mechanisms of biogenesis and biological functions (how EVs are produced, secreted, and their functions);

2. Roles in health and disease (relationshipsbetween gut microbiota-derivedEVs and diseases; immune regulation by pathogenic vesicles; potential use as disease diagnostic markers);

3. Therapeutic applications (tumor immunotherapy; vaccine development; use as drug deliverycarriers);

4. Environmental and ecological aspects (presence and abundance in various environmental media; driving nutrient cycling and pollutant degradation; mediating interactions among environmental microbes);

5. Engineering and technological innovations (optimizing vesicle functions and applications through genetic engineering, chemical modifications, orphysical loading to enhance targeting, reduce toxicity, and improve efficacy).