Microbes and Infection turns 20

Abstract

The journal Microbes and Infection is celebrating its vigintennial anniversary and has reunited for this occasion two dozen reviews illustrating achievements of the past as well as future challenges in the field of infectious diseases. From top-notch vaccine development strategies, to high-throughput powered analysis of complex host-pathogen interactions, to innovative therapeutic designs, this issue covers the entire spectrum of pathogens and areas of their confrontation with the host.

Evergreen influenza – Tackling an old enemy with fresh munitions

“…Moreover, globalization, climate change, the boom of human mobility plus the massive intensification of livestock farming have fanned the embers of pandemic threats over the last decade. Continuously changing versions of the influenza A virus (IAV) have bestowed on us the H5N1 “bird flu” and the H1N1 “swine flu” pandemics in 2006 and 2009 respectively, as well as the threats by H7N9 in 2013 [3] . On the other hand, the revolution of molecular biology and genetics from the second half of the 20th century on has unveiled bit by bit the sheer complexity of the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind the host pathogen encounter, shaped by the everlasting arms race of co-evolution.…”