One Health Antimicrobial Strategies: Metal Complexes and Nanomaterials to Combat Resistance in Humans, Animals, and the Environment

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat with profound consequences for humans, animals, and the environment. The One Health paradigm recognizes that these domains are intrinsically interconnected and that combating AMR requires integrated solutions that transcend traditional sectoral boundaries.

Recent advances in metal complexes and nanomaterials have opened new avenues in antimicrobial therapy and prevention. These agents exhibit multiple modes of action, including enzyme inhibition, membrane disruption, generation of reactive oxygen species, and biofilm eradication, making them less susceptible to conventional resistance mechanisms. Furthermore, their applications in clinical medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, and the environment offer holistic approaches in addressing to address AMR within a unified One Health framework.

Goal

This Research Topic aims to advance One Health-driven antimicrobial strategies by exploring the potential of metal complexes and nanomaterials to combat drug-resistant pathogens across humans, animals, and the environment. We invite contributions focused on developing and optimizing metal-based antimicrobials, uncovering their mechanisms of action and resistance evasion, evaluating their environmental fate and biosafety, and proposing innovative approaches for their application across clinical, veterinary, and environmental contexts. Through interdisciplinary research, this collection aims to drive innovative solutions that mitigate antimicrobial resistance, protect ecosystem health, and safeguard global public health.

Scope and Information for Authors

We invite contributions on the development and application of metal complexes and nanomaterials as innovative antimicrobial agents within a One Health framework. Topics of interest include their design, synthesis, and characterization; evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy against multi-drug resistant pathogens from human, animal, and environmental sources; and mechanistic studies on interactions with enzymes, membranes, biofilms, and virulence pathways. We also welcome research on nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, environmental risk assessments, biosafety, and the integration of these approaches into AMR surveillance and intervention strategies. Studies reporting novel compounds, unprecedented mechanistic insights, or previously unexplored applications are particularly encouraged. Submissions may include Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Brief Research Reports, and Clinical Trials showcasing innovative cross-sectoral solutions to combat AMR.

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, One Health, metal complexes, nanomaterials, drug-resistant pathogens

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.