Biofilms are structured communities of bacterial cells enclosed in an extracellular polymeric matrix (EPS) and coordinated through intra- and inter-cellular signalling systems, known as quorum sensing (QS); they can adhere to different kinds of surfaces, including human tissues where they can cause or exacerbate microbial infections. Bacterial biofilm infections are particularly problematic due to their resilience to the immune system and high levels of antibiotic resistance. This latter makes necessary to search for new molecules or synthetic analogues endowed with improved activity.
Nature has been always source of inspiration for the finding of novel medicinal drugs. In particular natural compounds such as antimicrobial peptides and phytochemicals are promising molecules in the development of novel antibiofilm treatments. Some of these indeed are less prone to induce resistance, exhibit a wide spectrum of actions, and are suitable for chemical modification to improve pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties.
With this Research Topic, we intend to collect contributions regarding the discovery of new natural molecules and synthetic analogues endowed with antibiofilm activities against microorganisms involved in human diseases.
Studies revealing the mechanism of action of the proposed molecules targeting any stage of biofilm development (e.g., adhesion, motility, EPS production, and QS inhibition), or eradication will be welcome.
Review articles are also considered if they focus on advances in current therapeutic strategies, drug resistance mechanisms, and novel synthesis processes of active molecules.
Submitted manuscripts should include particularly the following topics:
• Antibiofilm molecules from natural sources including peptides and plant-derived compounds
• Studies focusing on the mechanism of action of the proposed drugs.
• Quorum sensing inhibitors
• Molecular modelling
• Synthesis of natural agent analogues endowed with antibiofilm properties
• Antibiotic resistance in biofilms
• Advances in antibiofilm strategies
Biofilms are structured communities of bacterial cells enclosed in an extracellular polymeric matrix (EPS) and coordinated through intra- and inter-cellular signalling systems, known as quorum sensing (QS); they can adhere to different kinds of surfaces, including human tissues where they can cause or exacerbate microbial infections. Bacterial biofilm infections are particularly problematic due to their resilience to the immune system and high levels of antibiotic resistance. This latter makes necessary to search for new molecules or synthetic analogues endowed with improved activity.
Nature has been always source of inspiration for the finding of novel medicinal drugs. In particular natural compounds such as antimicrobial peptides and phytochemicals are promising molecules in the development of novel antibiofilm treatments. Some of these indeed are less prone to induce resistance, exhibit a wide spectrum of actions, and are suitable for chemical modification to improve pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties.
With this Research Topic, we intend to collect contributions regarding the discovery of new natural molecules and synthetic analogues endowed with antibiofilm activities against microorganisms involved in human diseases.
Studies revealing the mechanism of action of the proposed molecules targeting any stage of biofilm development (e.g., adhesion, motility, EPS production, and QS inhibition), or eradication will be welcome.
Review articles are also considered if they focus on advances in current therapeutic strategies, drug resistance mechanisms, and novel synthesis processes of active molecules.
Submitted manuscripts should include particularly the following topics:
• Antibiofilm molecules from natural sources including peptides and plant-derived compounds
• Studies focusing on the mechanism of action of the proposed drugs.
• Quorum sensing inhibitors
• Molecular modelling
• Synthesis of natural agent analogues endowed with antibiofilm properties
• Antibiotic resistance in biofilms
• Advances in antibiofilm strategies
