About this Research Topic
The fast increase and global expansion of antimicrobial resistance to conventional antibiotics has deepened the need of novel alternative therapeutic interventions to treat infections. A diverse microbiota inhabits the mucosal surfaces of the body and majority of infections by both bacteria and fungus are acquired at these surfaces. Often, the effectiveness of drugs is reduced for mucosal infections, due to the formation of biofilms and the close association with host tissues. In this Research Topic, we are focusing on ocular, oral and skin infections, three main sites that are continuously exposed to various pathogens. The interaction between these surfaces with pathogens are key to host defense, health and disease.
The aim of this Research Topic is to explore various novel therapeutic interventions that are studied to combat antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial peptides are considered to be the most potent candidates to display both in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity either when used alone or in combination with traditional antibiotics. Small bioactive molecules targeted against various virulent factors of bacteria or fungi also possess immense potential to be developed into alternative therapeutics. However, often their applications become limited due to lack of optimum formulations or inability to reach target sites by overcoming biological barriers. For successful infection, a pathogen must also associate closely with the host tissues, to prevent removal by aspects of innate immunity such as the mucociliary escalator and tearfilm shear force generation during blinking. This presents an alternative set of antimicrobial targets in the host tissues themselves, with new challenges around safety and delivery. Therefore, developing sustainable drug delivery options and exploring nanotechnology becomes essential.
We welcome Original Research, Brief Research Report, Review and Minireview articles, including but not limited to,
- Design and synthesis of novel antimicrobial peptides, small molecules, or other alternative therapeutics to control bacterial, fungal or viral infections at the ocular, oral, and skin sites;
- Exploring endogenous host defense peptides from various sources for their antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties;
- Use of nanotechnology for successful drug delivery to treat infections.
A multidisciplinary approach involving chemical biology, infection biology, pharmaceutical chemistry as well as computational biology is highly encouraged.
Both Dr. Roy and Dr. Monk hold patents.
The aim of this Research Topic is to explore various novel therapeutic interventions that are studied to combat antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial peptides are considered to be the most potent candidates to display both in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity either when used alone or in combination with traditional antibiotics. Small bioactive molecules targeted against various virulent factors of bacteria or fungi also possess immense potential to be developed into alternative therapeutics. However, often their applications become limited due to lack of optimum formulations or inability to reach target sites by overcoming biological barriers. For successful infection, a pathogen must also associate closely with the host tissues, to prevent removal by aspects of innate immunity such as the mucociliary escalator and tearfilm shear force generation during blinking. This presents an alternative set of antimicrobial targets in the host tissues themselves, with new challenges around safety and delivery. Therefore, developing sustainable drug delivery options and exploring nanotechnology becomes essential.
We welcome Original Research, Brief Research Report, Review and Minireview articles, including but not limited to,
- Design and synthesis of novel antimicrobial peptides, small molecules, or other alternative therapeutics to control bacterial, fungal or viral infections at the ocular, oral, and skin sites;
- Exploring endogenous host defense peptides from various sources for their antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties;
- Use of nanotechnology for successful drug delivery to treat infections.
A multidisciplinary approach involving chemical biology, infection biology, pharmaceutical chemistry as well as computational biology is highly encouraged.
Both Dr. Roy and Dr. Monk hold patents.
Keywords: Antimicrobial peptides, natural compounds, small molecules, infections, wound healing
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.
