Strategic Advances in Antimicrobial Resistance and Targeted Antibiotic Design

This Research Topic highlights the alarming potential impact of antimicrobial resistance, which is projected to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050. This figure surpasses the approximately 7 million global deaths attributed to COVID-19 (GBD 2021 Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators, 2024, The Lancet), underscoring the severity of the threat. Addressing this critical issue and the urgent unmet need for novel antibiotics is paramount. This topic seeks to consolidate the latest advancements in targeted antimicrobial therapy, encompassing in vitro biomarker discovery, target validation and isolation, novel synthesis strategies for antimicrobial agents, and innovative testing methods.

The goal of this Research Topic is to catalyze the development and dissemination of effective solutions to combat antimicrobial resistance. It aims to bring together leading researchers and practitioners to explore innovative strategies that can lead to new therapeutic options. By focusing on cutting-edge research and technological advancements, this topic intends to foster discussions that bridge gaps between theoretical research and clinical application.

To gather further insights into antimicrobial resistance, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

In Vitro Biomarker Discovery: Developments in identifying biomarkers that can predict microbial resistance and enhance the effectiveness of treatments.
Target Validation and Isolation: Cutting-edge techniques aimed at isolating and validating new targets for antimicrobial intervention.
Novel Synthesis Strategies: Innovative approaches in synthesizing chemical entities with antimicrobial properties.
Innovative Testing Methods: Advanced methodologies for testing antimicrobial efficacy and safety in clinical and preclinical settings.
Interdisciplinary Collaborations: Studies that incorporate cross-disciplinary knowledge to create holistic solutions to resistance challenges.

Contributions in the form of original research, review articles, and brief communications are encouraged. Through these collective efforts, we aim to advance the field of antimicrobial therapy and address the pressing global challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

Article types and fees

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

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

Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance, Novel Antibiotics, Targeted Antimicrobial Therapy, In Vitro Biomarker Discovery, Target Validation, Target Isolation, Synthesis Strategies, Novel Synthesis, Antimicrobial Agents

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.