Call for papers - Barrier immunology

Guest Editor

Hernán Peñaloza, PhD, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 23 May 2025

BMC Immunology is calling for submissions to our Collection on Barrier immunology, emphasizing the crucial interplay between the immune system and various barriers, such as skin, mucosal surfaces, and anatomical boundaries. We seek groundbreaking work that explores novel strategies, interventions, and best practices in deciphering immune responses at the frontline of defense. The Collection aims to shed light on diverse aspects of barrier immunology, encouraging submissions covering themes like barrier-specific immune responses, the microbiome's role, immunopathology, vaccination strategies, autoimmune conditions, and translational approaches.

New Content Item This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Submit to Collection

Meet the Guest Editor

Back to top

Hernán Peñaloza, PhD, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile

Hernán Peñaloza earned a PhD in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile under the mentorship of Dr Susan Bueno. In 2022, Dr Peñaloza completed his first postdoctoral training at Dr Janet Lee’s Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh. Following this, Dr Peñaloza completed a second postdoctoral fellowship at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in 2023. He currently serves as an assistant professor at the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Medicine at the institution. His research focuses on identifying the mechanisms employed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to amplify inflammation and lung damage, as well as studying host strategies that regulate lung inflammation.

About the Collection

BMC Immunology is excited to announce our forthcoming Collection on Barrier immunology. The intricate interplay between the immune system and various barriers, such as skin, mucosal surfaces, and other anatomical boundaries, is of paramount importance in understanding and addressing a myriad of health challenges. We invite researchers to contribute their groundbreaking work that delves into the complexities of barrier immunology, exploring novel strategies, interventions, and best practices in deciphering immune responses at the frontline of defense.

This Collection aims to illuminate diverse facets of barrier immunology, and we encourage submissions that explore, but are not limited to, the following themes:

Barrier-specific immune responses: in-depth investigations into the immune mechanisms operating at different barriers, including skin, mucosa, and epithelial linings
Microbiome: exploration of the intricate relationship between the microbiome and the immune system at various barriers, highlighting the role of symbiotic interactions in maintaining homeostasis
Immunopathology: understanding the immunological basis of diseases affecting barriers, with a focus on identifying potential therapeutic targets for intervention
Innovations in vaccination strategies: advancements in vaccine development that target specific barriers, offering new perspectives on enhancing immune protection against infectious agents
Barrier dysfunction in autoimmune conditions: investigating the link between barrier integrity and autoimmune diseases, with a focus on deciphering the role of immune dysregulation in barrier breakdown
Translational approaches: bridging the gap between basic research and clinical applications, with a spotlight on translating findings into tangible solutions for improving patient outcomes

This Collection aligns with the global imperative of understanding and fortifying barrier immunity, contributing to the advancement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

Back to top

This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select Barrier immunology from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.