The discovery of penicillin marked the beginning of the golden era of antibiotics, revolutionizing medicine and leading to unprecedented advances. However, pathogens rapidly evolve to develop antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, rendering most current antibiotics ineffective. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now considered an immediate global emergency affecting both human and animal welfare and public health and economies worldwide. Without novel and efficient alternatives to current antibiotics, it is estimated that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will be responsible for 10 million deaths by 2050, surpassing the mortality rate caused by cancer. In this context, finding novel approaches against these infections is a scientific race against time and bacterial evolution that demands innovative strategies, substantial investment, and the new technologies to develop and enhance antimicrobial agents.

In an era of rapid technological advancements, searching for alternatives to tackle multidrug-resistant pathogens remains one of the most challenging scientific goals. This research topic aims to bring together cutting-edge interdisciplinary studies based on the latest technologies that seek to reinvent how we treat multidrug-resistant infections and change the outcome of AMR. Research focused on developing narrow-spectrum antimicrobials, which minimize off-target effects against commensal strains, will be particularly valued, as these could provide more targeted and sustainable solutions to AMR.

The contributors to this research topic can present pieces related to, but not limited to, the following sub-themes:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in antimicrobial discovery
• Synthetic biology for the production and structural modification and optimization of antimicrobials
• New classes of natural products or synthetic scaffolds with antimicrobial activity
• Nanotechnology-based antimicrobials and nano-enabled drug delivery systems
• Innovative drug delivery systems that specifically target pathogens
• Nanotechnology based antimicrobials: Synthesis, designing novel nanoparticles for precision targeted drug delivery

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Revolutionizing Antimicrobial Strategies: Beyond Traditional Antibiotics

Topic Coordinator