Combatting bacterial resistance: Novel strategies and therapeutic innovations

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About this Research Topic

Submission deadlines

  1. Manuscript Summary Submission Deadline 1 September 2025 | Manuscript Submission Deadline 3 January 2026

  2. This Research Topic is still accepting articles.

Background

Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as one of the foremost public health concerns of the 21st century. Excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics has accelerated the development of multidrug-resistant bacteria, or "superbugs," significantly diminishing the efficacy of traditional treatment approaches. Recent forecasts project that by 2050, antibiotic-resistant infections could cause up to 10 million deaths per year and substantial global economic burdens reaching $100 trillion. Current clinical strategies increasingly face limitations due to the rapid evolution of bacterial adaptation mechanisms. Despite considerable progress towards understanding the underlying resistance pathways, there remains an urgent need to leverage these insights into the development of innovative therapeutic interventions capable of counteracting resistant pathogens.

This Research Topic aims to explore novel approaches and emerging treatment methods for bacterial infections, specifically addressing the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance. Research contributions will examine cutting-edge strategies spanning natural and synthetic antimicrobial agents, drug repurposing, bacteriophage therapy, immune system modulation, application of nanotechnologies, and advanced targeted drug delivery. By consolidating recent developments, the Research Topic seeks to improve clinical outcomes for bacterial infections, provide effective solutions against resistant bacteria, and furnish theoretical and practical frameworks guiding future antibiotic discovery and infection treatment practices.

To gather further insights in innovative approaches for treating bacterial infections and mitigating antibiotic resistance, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes: • Discovery and development of natural-small-molecule-based antibacterial agents. • Rational design and synthesis of novel antibacterial agents incorporating computational approaches. • Structural modifications of existing drugs to enhance antibacterial activity and overcome resistance. • Bacteriophage-based strategies and viral therapies tailored to bacterial pathogens. • Immunomodulatory approaches enhancing host defenses against bacterial infections. • Application of novel functional nanomaterials directed at overcoming bacterial resistance. • Advanced, targeted drug delivery systems to improve antibacterial drug efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity. • Pharmacological studies focused on mechanisms and treatments targeting bacterial resistance. • Comprehensive reviews aligned with novel therapeutic strategies addressing antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

We welcome submissions of Original Research, Review Articles, Mini Reviews, Perspective, Methods, Brief Research Reports, and Clinical Trials.

Article types and fees

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

  • Brief Research Report
  • Clinical Trial
  • Data Report
  • Editorial
  • General Commentary
  • Hypothesis and Theory
  • Methods
  • Mini Review
  • Opinion

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

Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance, Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria, Innovative Therapeutics, Targeted Drug Delivery, Bacteriophage Therapy

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.

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