Advancing Antimicrobial Strategies: Nucleic Acid and Peptide-Based Approaches

The field of nucleic acid and peptide-based antimicrobials is emerging as a promising frontier in the fight against antimicrobial-resistant infections. Despite the significant advancements antibiotics have brought to global health, the increasing prevalence of resistant bacterial strains and the stagnation in the development of new antibiotics pose a critical threat. Recent studies have shown that nucleic acid derivatives, analogues, and structural mimics, including modified nucleobases and sugar-phosphodiester backbones, exhibit potent antibacterial activity through mechanisms such as antisense, transcription factor decoy, or DNAzyme principles.

These nucleic acid mimics can be rationally designed to target multi-resistant bacterial strains, offering a unique advantage over traditional antibiotics. Additionally, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have gained regulatory approval for topical applications, underscoring their potential as novel therapeutic agents. However, challenges such as bio-stability, toxicity, formulation, and bacterial uptake remain significant hurdles that need to be addressed to advance these therapeutics to clinical use.

This research topic aims to explore innovative nucleic acid and peptide-based approaches to develop effective antimicrobials. The primary objectives include understanding the mode of action, evaluating potency and bacterial spectrum, investigating resistance development, and devising effective delivery strategies. Additionally, the research will focus on translational efforts, particularly in terms of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), to enhance the clinical applicability of these novel therapeutics. By addressing these key questions, the research aims to contribute to the development of next-generation antimicrobials capable of overcoming current resistance mechanisms.

To gather further insights into the scope of nucleic acid and peptide-based antimicrobials, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Mechanisms of action of nucleic acid and peptide-based antimicrobials
- Potency and spectrum of activity against various bacterial strains
- Development of resistance and strategies to mitigate it
- Novel delivery systems and formulation strategies
- Preclinical characterization and translational research
- Combination therapies involving nucleic acid or peptide-based antimicrobials
- In silico design and optimization of antimicrobial peptides
- Clinical trials and regulatory considerations for new antimicrobial agents

In this Research Topic we welcome the following article types: Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Review, Systematic Review.

Keywords: nanocarriers, DNAzymes, Nucleic acid mimics, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), antisense antibiotics

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.