Advances in Synthetic Biology for Combating Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a major global health threat. Resistance among clinically critical bacterial pathogens, particularly ESKAPE pathogens, is responsible for millions of deaths annually and may result in trillion-dollar economic losses if not effectively addressed. The rapid rise of antifungal resistance, seen in both clinical and agricultural settings is equally concerning. Fungal pathogens such as Candida auris, azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus, and phytopathogens including Fusarium spp., Magnaporthe oryzae, and Phytophthora spp. are increasingly linked to therapeutic failure, crop losses, and threats to global food security.

Across bacterial and fungal pathogens, resistance is driven by convergent mechanisms intensified by widespread antimicrobial and fungicide use. In this evolving landscape, synthetic biology is reshaping AMR research by enabling rational engineering of microbial systems and the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents. Engineered bacteriophages represent a promising therapeutic strategy against multidrug-resistant pathogens, while CRISPR/Cas technologies offer the potential to reverse resistance and restore antimicrobial sensitivity. The scalable biosynthesis of antimicrobial peptides through engineered biological platforms further expands the repertoire of next-generation therapeutics. Together, these synthetic biology advances are transforming antimicrobial discovery, diagnostics, surveillance, and targeted therapy development.

This Research Topic seeks innovative contributions that advance the application of synthetic biology to address AMR across clinical, veterinary, agricultural, and food systems. We particularly encourage submissions that integrate engineered biological systems, and translational strategies for combating resistant infections. The collection aims to highlight how these technologies can help address the growing global challenge of AMR.

We welcome submissions including, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Synthetic biology approaches for the development of novel antimicrobial agents, especially targeting resistant pathogens.

• CRISPR-based technologies targeting antimicrobial resistance genes.

• Design and optimization of engineered bacteriophages for precision targeting of multidrug-resistant pathogens.

• Engineering microbial systems for the biosynthesis and delivery of novel antibacterial and antifungal agents.

• Challenges, limitations, and future perspectives for synthetic biology to develop sustainable AMR solutions.

• Regulatory, ethical, and biosafety considerations in deploying engineered biological systems.

We welcome the following article types: FAIR² Data, Hypothesis and Theory, Methods, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Review, Systematic Review, Technology and Code.

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

Keywords: Antimicrobial Peptide, Antimicrobial Resistance, CRISPR Technology, Engineered Bacteriophages, Synthetic Biology, Antifungal Peptide, Antifungal Resistance, Personalized Therapeutics, Agricultural AMR

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.