Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of infectious parasitic and bacterial diseases that affect over 1 billion people in the world’s poorest and most marginalized communities. They cause debilitating illness, and reduced life expectancy, and many lead to severe disfigurement and disability. These diseases make it difficult for children to learn and for adults to work, thereby wasting huge potential, keeping entire communities trapped in poverty, and costing developing economies billions each year.

Nowadays infectious diseases are more prevalent due to multiple drug resistance (MDR) and extensive drug resistance (XDR). The side effects make the detection of infection resolution, a difficult task. Furthermore, the rise in drug resistance to frontline drugs is a looming threat, and to counteract this, often higher doses are prescribed which further aggravate the side effects and consequently, increase patient discomfort. Thus, there is a pressing need to identify new drug targets that are specific to combating infectious diseases to have reduced off-target effects. Additionally, a new strategy in developing drugs and vaccines which can block disease transmission is important since only a few drugs are available on the market and there is no effective vaccine to combat neglected tropical diseases.

Novel drug discovery utilizing a variety of sophisticated molecular and computational biology tools is the thrust area of current research in infectious disease. The basis of such drug discovery approaches requires detailed elucidation of molecular and structural aspects of prospective drug targets and pathogenesis. Thereupon, a major aim of this special issue is to explain all the molecular aspects of drug molecules. Importantly, we will explore the molecular and drug-discovery-related dimensions of infectious disease. This is also helpful for advanced-level researchers to examine new molecules which have yet not been explored. In addition to that, it will provide knowledge about how the disease has an impact on the entire population.

We cordially invite researchers/scientists to contribute their original research and review articles to the special issue.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. RNA interference-based Therapeutics: New Strategies to Fight Infectious Disease

2. Next-generation vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics.

3. Approaches to Disease Control and Elimination.

4. Global Impact of infectious diseases.

5. OMICS technology-based drug discovery approaches.

6. Structure-based drug design to combat infectious disease.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Neglected Tropical Diseases: Drug Targets, and Potential Treatments