Antimicrobial Peptides: Innovative Strategies Against WHO-Priority Bacterial Pathogens, Including ESKAPE and Mycobacteria

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a formidable challenge in global health, marked by the declining effectiveness of traditional antibiotics against pathogenic microbes. High-concern bacterial pathogens include the WHO-priority group, notably the ESKAPE organisms (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) and tuberculosis-causing Mycobacteria. These pathogens effectively evade current antimicrobial treatments, resulting in severe clinical outcomes and high mortality rates globally. This ongoing crisis underscores a vital need for innovative therapeutic strategies.

This Research Topic aims to assess the potential of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), including host-defence peptides, as novel interventions in the battle against AMR. AMPs are celebrated for their potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial capabilities and distinct mechanisms from traditional antibiotics. These peptides present a renewed hope in addressing the challenging ESKAPE pathogens and Mycobacteria responsible for tuberculosis, potentially transforming the landscape of antimicrobial therapy.

To gather further insights in this critical area of research, we welcome articles focusing on, but not limited to, the following themes:

o Design and synthesis of AMPs and AMP-conjugates, including host-defence peptides, with enhancements in stability.
o Discovery of new AMPs using cutting-edge techniques such as machine learning and artificial intelligence.
o Mechanistic studies and modelling of AMP interactions with bacterial targets, focusing on WHO-priority pathogens.
o Novel protocols for the synthesis, preparation, and expression of AMPs.
o Comprehensive reviews and meta-analyses surveying the current landscape of AMP research related to combatting AMR in WHO-priority pathogens, including tuberculosis-causing Mycobacteria.

By pioneering research on AMPs against WHO-priority pathogens, this topic aims to significantly enhance our arsenal in the fight against infectious diseases, encouraging a multidisciplinary approach involving computational design, nano-biotechnology, molecular biology, and immunology.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs), ESKAPE Pathogens, Nanostructures, Drug Design, Mechanistic Studies

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.