About this Research Topic
Currently, the majority of microbial infections are controlled and managed with the use of antimicrobials. In the light of the ever increasing antimicrobial resistance problem, however, alternatives such as bacteriophage- and antibody-based approaches are extensively sought.
These approaches may offer certain advantages based on the structural, functional and biological features of phages and antibodies. In particular, these approaches offer the possibility to develop diverse and tailored solutions specifically designed against the most challenging infectious agents. These approaches include a broad spectrum of applications such as the use of a variety of antibody formats (e.g., monoclonal antibodies, single-chain Fvs, single-domain antibodies, different types of bacteriophages for phage therapy, and many engineered derivatives, including conjugates and phage-derived enzymes.
There is an urgent and growing need for the development of novel and efficacious antimicrobial agents, especially to combat the growing number of pathogens resistant to multiple classes of antimicrobial chemotherapeutics. Exploring new ways to develop treatments and diagnostics for pathogens using the complementary strengths offered by antibodies and bacteriophages promises to provide novel solutions to meet the formidable challenges posed by emerging pathogens and well-known pathogens where resistance to antimicrobial chemotherapeutics is becoming a growing threat.
This research topic focuses on studies (including original research, perspectives, mini-reviews, commentaries and opinion papers) that contribute to the exploration and development of antibody- and bacteriophage-based tools (therapeutics, prophylactics, vaccines, antiseptics, diagnostics and detection agents) including, but not limited to:
1) Monoclonal antibodies, single-chain Fvs, Fabs, single domain antibodies (VHHs, VHs, VLs, VNARs).
2) Engineered antibodies, including multispecific multimeric and glycoengineered antibodies.
3) Antibody conjugates, such antibody-antibiotic conjugates, antibody-drug conjugates, antibody-nuclide conjugates, antibody-peptide conjugates, antibody-carbohydrate conjugates, antibody-nanoparticle conjugates.
4) Bacteriophages, multispecific bacteriophages and bacteriophage conjugates.
5) Bacteriophages as (i) nanocarriers for the delivery of therapeutic agents and diagnostic reporters; (ii) biocontrol agents (e.g., targeting food pathogens); and (iii) surface disinfectants.
These approaches may offer certain advantages based on the structural, functional and biological features of phages and antibodies. In particular, these approaches offer the possibility to develop diverse and tailored solutions specifically designed against the most challenging infectious agents. These approaches include a broad spectrum of applications such as the use of a variety of antibody formats (e.g., monoclonal antibodies, single-chain Fvs, single-domain antibodies, different types of bacteriophages for phage therapy, and many engineered derivatives, including conjugates and phage-derived enzymes.
There is an urgent and growing need for the development of novel and efficacious antimicrobial agents, especially to combat the growing number of pathogens resistant to multiple classes of antimicrobial chemotherapeutics. Exploring new ways to develop treatments and diagnostics for pathogens using the complementary strengths offered by antibodies and bacteriophages promises to provide novel solutions to meet the formidable challenges posed by emerging pathogens and well-known pathogens where resistance to antimicrobial chemotherapeutics is becoming a growing threat.
This research topic focuses on studies (including original research, perspectives, mini-reviews, commentaries and opinion papers) that contribute to the exploration and development of antibody- and bacteriophage-based tools (therapeutics, prophylactics, vaccines, antiseptics, diagnostics and detection agents) including, but not limited to:
1) Monoclonal antibodies, single-chain Fvs, Fabs, single domain antibodies (VHHs, VHs, VLs, VNARs).
2) Engineered antibodies, including multispecific multimeric and glycoengineered antibodies.
3) Antibody conjugates, such antibody-antibiotic conjugates, antibody-drug conjugates, antibody-nuclide conjugates, antibody-peptide conjugates, antibody-carbohydrate conjugates, antibody-nanoparticle conjugates.
4) Bacteriophages, multispecific bacteriophages and bacteriophage conjugates.
5) Bacteriophages as (i) nanocarriers for the delivery of therapeutic agents and diagnostic reporters; (ii) biocontrol agents (e.g., targeting food pathogens); and (iii) surface disinfectants.
Keywords: Antibody, Bacteriophage, Prophylaxis/Therapy, Diagnosis/Detection, Microbial infection
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.
