About this Research Topic

Background

As bacterial resistance continues to evolve, the quest for new antimicrobial agents has gained urgency. Metal complexes have gained significant traction in recent years due to their ability to target drug-resistant bacteria through various mechanisms, such as inhibiting protein and enzyme activities, as well as disrupting bacterial cellular functions. Unlike conventional antibiotics, these metal-based agents can offer multiple strategies, including improved drug delivery systems and the ability to circumvent existing resistance mechanisms. The development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and metal-antibiotic complexes further broadens the potential for creating next-generation antimicrobials, potentially transforming the treatment of infectious diseases.

The growing challenge of treating infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria requires novel approaches beyond traditional antibiotics. The primary goal of this Research Topic is to explore and advance the use of metal complexes as next-generation antibiotics that are able to effectively target these drug-resistant bacteria. The drug-resistant issue lies in the diminishing effectiveness of current antibiotics, which are being rendered obsolete due to the rapid evolution of bacterial resistance mechanisms.

To address the antibiotic resistance issue, this Research Topic will focus on the design, synthesis, and application of metal complexes, including MOFs and metal-antibiotic complexes. These compounds offer a variety of pathways to counteract resistance, such as inhibiting bacterial enzymes, disrupting cellular processes, and enhancing drug delivery. By exploring these innovative approaches, the goal is to develop new strategies that can effectively target drug-resistant bacteria, minimize the risk of resistance development, and ultimately provide practical alternatives to conventional antibiotics in clinical settings. Through collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts, this topic seeks to advance the field of antimicrobial development and contribute to global health solutions.

This Research Topic invites contributions focused on the development and application of metal complexes, MOFs, and metal nanoparticles as new antimicrobial agents against drug-resistant pathogens. Specific themes include the design and synthesis of these metal-based compounds, their antibacterial activity, mechanism(s) of action against bacterial enzymes and proteins, strategies to overcome bacterial resistance, safety profiles, and potential medical applications. We welcome submissions of Original Research articles, Mini-Reviews, Clinical Trials, and Brief Research Reports that explore innovative techniques in the synthesis, testing, and application of metal-based antibiotics.

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
• 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
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Metal Complexes, Drug-Resistant Bacteria, Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Antimicrobial Resistance, Enzyme Inhibition, Metal nanoparticles

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.

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