Phage-Based Biocontrol in the Antimicrobial Resistance Era: Leveraging Omics, Enzybiotics, and Artificial Intelligence for One Health Applications

The accelerating emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly among priority pathogens such as the ESKAPE pathogens, represents a major global health challenge across human, animal, and environmental domains. Biofilm-associated infections further complicate treatment due to their intrinsic tolerance to antibiotics and persistence in clinical and agricultural settings. In this context, bacteriophages and phage-derived antimicrobials (enzybiotics), including endolysins and depolymerases, have re-emerged as promising biocontrol tools. Recent advances in omics technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing the discovery, characterization, and optimization of phages and their functional components. However, key knowledge gaps remain in understanding phage-host dynamics, resistance evolution, and the translation of these innovations into scalable, safe, and effective applications within a One Health framework.This Research Topic aims to advance the development of phage-based biocontrol strategies by integrating omics-driven discovery, enzybiotic characterization, and AI-assisted predictive approaches to combat AMR and biofilm-associated infections. Despite growing interest in phage applications, several challenges hinder their widespread implementation, including limited understanding of host specificity, variability in therapeutic efficacy, emergence of phage resistance, and the lack of standardized regulatory pathways.To address these issues, this Topic seeks contributions that bridge fundamental and applied research, linking genomic and functional datasets with phenotypic outcomes and translational potential. Particular emphasis will be placed on the identification and engineering of enzybiotics with enhanced antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity, as well as the use of AI and machine learning to predict phage-host interactions, optimize phage cocktails, and guide rational design strategies. Additionally, studies evaluating ecological impacts, microbiome modulation, and integration into One Health approaches are strongly encouraged. Collectively, this Research Topic aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerate the development of innovative, evidence-based antimicrobial solutions beyond conventional antibiotics.We welcome submissions that explore the discovery, characterization, and application of bacteriophages and enzybiotics as biocontrol agents within a One Health perspective. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:• Genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and functional characterization of bacteriophages targeting clinically and veterinary relevant pathogens, particularly ESKAPE organisms• Discovery and mechanistic analysis of phage-derived enzymes (enzybiotics), including endolysins and depolymerases• Application of omics and artificial intelligence to predict phage functions, host range, and phage-host interactions• In vitro and in vivo evaluation of phage- and enzybiotic-based interventions, including anti-biofilm activity• Development of phage collections, libraries, and biobanks• Formulation, delivery, and stability of phage-based products• Impact on microbiomes and resistomes across human, animal, and environmental systems• Phage resistance mechanisms and co-evolution dynamics• Regulatory, ethical, and policy frameworks for phage applications• Integration of phage-based strategies into One Health approaches for AMR mitigationWe encourage submissions of Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Clinical Trials, Case Reports, Systematic Reviews, and Brief Research Topic editors: Natalia Echeverría, Roberto Bastías Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81285/phage-based-biocontrol-in-the-antimicrobial-resistance-era-leveraging-omics-enzybiotics-and-artificial-intelligence-for-one-health-applications