The field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a critical area of research due to the alarming rise in drug-resistant pathogens. Since the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928, antibiotics have revolutionized the treatment of infectious diseases. However, the overuse and misuse of these drugs have led to the evolution of resistant strains, posing a significant threat to global health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified AMR as one of the top 10 global public health issues, with projections estimating that by 2050, AMR could result in up to 10 million deaths annually and increase healthcare costs by up to US$100 trillion. Despite ongoing efforts, current therapeutic strategies are often insufficient, necessitating the development of novel and more effective treatments. The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated the situation, diverting public health resources and exacerbating the AMR crisis through increased antibiotic use in COVID-19 units.
This research topic aims to present and discuss various novel therapeutic strategies to combat AMR pathogens, including both bacteria and fungi. The primary objective is to explore new drugs, vaccines, and treatment methodologies that can effectively address the limitations of current approaches. Specific questions to be answered include: What are the most promising new compounds or drug combinations for treating AMR infections? How can "Omics" technologies be leveraged to discover new antigens for vaccine development? What interdisciplinary strategies can be employed to enhance the efficacy of AMR treatments? By addressing these questions, the research aims to contribute to the development of innovative solutions to this pressing global health issue.
To gather further insights into the development of therapeutics for AMR pathogens, we welcome Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Perspectives, Opinions, Review and Mini Review articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Screening of natural and synthetic compound libraries: high-throughput screening and validation of effective compounds
- Use of new, repurposed, or licensed drugs to tackle AMR pathogens
- Exploration of small bioactive molecules or antimicrobial peptides from various sources
- Application of nanotechnology in AMR treatment and drug delivery
- Combination therapy using antibiotics and antibodies against multidrug-resistant pathogens
- Development of antibiofilm drugs targeting mono or dual-species biofilms of AMR pathogens
- Discovery and validation of efflux pump inhibitors against bacterial and fungal pathogens
- Advanced vaccine development against AMR pathogens, including recombinant, DNA, prime-boost, mRNA, and live attenuated vaccines
- Determination of drug/vaccine modes of action using omics methods such as genomics, RNA-Seq, proteomics, and metabolomics
- In vivo studies of host microbiome changes and their impact post-AMR infection or during drug/vaccine treatment
- In silico approaches in drug/vaccine development against AMR pathogens
- Antibiotic resistance associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact.
The field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a critical area of research due to the alarming rise in drug-resistant pathogens. Since the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928, antibiotics have revolutionized the treatment of infectious diseases. However, the overuse and misuse of these drugs have led to the evolution of resistant strains, posing a significant threat to global health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified AMR as one of the top 10 global public health issues, with projections estimating that by 2050, AMR could result in up to 10 million deaths annually and increase healthcare costs by up to US$100 trillion. Despite ongoing efforts, current therapeutic strategies are often insufficient, necessitating the development of novel and more effective treatments. The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated the situation, diverting public health resources and exacerbating the AMR crisis through increased antibiotic use in COVID-19 units.
This research topic aims to present and discuss various novel therapeutic strategies to combat AMR pathogens, including both bacteria and fungi. The primary objective is to explore new drugs, vaccines, and treatment methodologies that can effectively address the limitations of current approaches. Specific questions to be answered include: What are the most promising new compounds or drug combinations for treating AMR infections? How can "Omics" technologies be leveraged to discover new antigens for vaccine development? What interdisciplinary strategies can be employed to enhance the efficacy of AMR treatments? By addressing these questions, the research aims to contribute to the development of innovative solutions to this pressing global health issue.
To gather further insights into the development of therapeutics for AMR pathogens, we welcome Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Perspectives, Opinions, Review and Mini Review articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Screening of natural and synthetic compound libraries: high-throughput screening and validation of effective compounds
- Use of new, repurposed, or licensed drugs to tackle AMR pathogens
- Exploration of small bioactive molecules or antimicrobial peptides from various sources
- Application of nanotechnology in AMR treatment and drug delivery
- Combination therapy using antibiotics and antibodies against multidrug-resistant pathogens
- Development of antibiofilm drugs targeting mono or dual-species biofilms of AMR pathogens
- Discovery and validation of efflux pump inhibitors against bacterial and fungal pathogens
- Advanced vaccine development against AMR pathogens, including recombinant, DNA, prime-boost, mRNA, and live attenuated vaccines
- Determination of drug/vaccine modes of action using omics methods such as genomics, RNA-Seq, proteomics, and metabolomics
- In vivo studies of host microbiome changes and their impact post-AMR infection or during drug/vaccine treatment
- In silico approaches in drug/vaccine development against AMR pathogens
- Antibiotic resistance associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact.
