Next-Generation Antibiotics: Combating Biofilm Tolerance and Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and biofilm-associated tolerance represent significant global health threats that undermine existing therapeutic strategies. Biofilms are intricate microbial communities encased in a self-generated extracellular matrix; this structure obstructs antibiotic penetration and fosters phenotypic tolerance, leading to persistent and recurrent infections. Beyond genetically encoded multidrug resistance (MDR), these pathogens utilize adaptive mechanisms to survive treatment, resulting in increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs worldwide.This Research Topic aims to consolidate multidisciplinary innovations to drive the development of next-generation antibiotic therapies. We seek to bridge the gap between fundamental research and clinical application by incorporating diverse fields, including clinical microbiology, pharmaceutical biotechnology, peptide synthesis, systems biology, computer-aided drug design, nanomedicine, and translational sciences.The primary objective is to identify safe, effective, and durable treatment options to address the global burden of infections caused by biofilms and MDR microorganisms. We invite manuscripts, ranging from initial investigations to translational research, that elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of biofilm formation, persistence, quorum sensing, and adaptive resistance. We also welcome the exploration of novel therapeutic targets and intervention strategies, including synthetic, natural, semi-synthetic, or peptide-based approaches.This Research Topic welcomes a wide range of article types, including original research, reviews, case reports, and clinical studies, to capture the full spectrum of scientific and translational advances in the fight against biofilm-associated tolerance and MDR pathogens. Potential themes include, but are not limited to:• Molecular Mechanisms: Biofilm microenvironments and the mechanisms of persistent drug resistance.• Anti-virulence Strategies: Quorum-sensing inhibition and novel anti-virulence therapeutics.• Drug Discovery: Novel drug design, peptide synthesis, and therapeutic potency assessments.• Advanced Delivery Systems: Nano-antibiotics and natural product-based drug delivery strategies.• Computational Biology: AI-driven systems biology for mechanistic exploration and therapeutic discovery. Topic editors: Dr. Shasank Sekhar Swain, Blessing Mbaebie Oyedemi, Jyotirmaya Sahoo Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80940/next-generation-antibiotics-combating-biofilm-tolerance-and-multidrug-resistant-pathogens