Antimicrobial Peptides
A section of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382).
Section Information
One of the major challenges of the 21st century in biological sciences is the discovery of new molecules with antimicrobial properties and active on bacterial strains that are multi-resistant to the antibiotics currently available in our therapeutic arsenal. Peptides are a family of molecules that are capable of acting effectively against such bacteria—in particular those responsible for nosocomial diseases such as the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Interestingly, antibacterial peptides are part of the arsenal of host defense peptides that are present in a variety of simple and complex life forms, from prokaryotes (e.g., bacteriocins) to eucaryotes (e.g., defensins, cathelicidins). Due to their particular antibacterial potential, they are currently emerging as solid candidate therapeutic compounds against both pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including those resistant to ‘conventional’ antibiotics. Many applications of antimicrobial peptides do exist in various fields, including human and animal health, feeding, agriculture and cosmetic/dermatologic fields.
The Section ‘Antimicrobial Peptides’ of the journal Antibiotics focuses on the various aspects of antibacterial/antimicrobial peptides from natural (e.g., animal venoms, milk) or non-natural sources (synthetic de novo designed peptides), from their discovery to the structural and functional characterization, the mode of action at a molecular level, as well as the development and evaluation in clinical trials. Potential contributors are strongly encouraged to submit their best work(s) in this important emerging field of applied scientific research.
Editorial Board
Special Issues
Following special issues within this section are currently open for submissions:
- Antimicrobial Peptides from Natural Sources to Synthetic Optimization (Deadline: 31 March 2024)
- Insights into Natural Antimicrobial Peptides (Deadline: 31 March 2024)
- Antimicrobial Activity of Bioactive Peptides and Their Derivatives (Deadline: 15 June 2024)
- Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Structure–Activity Relationship Studies on Antimicrobial Peptides (Deadline: 30 June 2024)
- Computational Approaches in Discovery and Design of Antimicrobial Peptides - 2nd Volume (Deadline: 30 June 2024)
- Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs): Structure, Target, Spatiotemporal Relationship, and Druggability (Deadline: 30 June 2024)
- Antimicrobial Peptides: An Emerging Hope in the Era of New Infections and Resistance (Deadline: 31 July 2024)
- Editorial Board Members' Collection Series: Structural Aspects of AMPs and Antimicrobials (Deadline: 31 July 2024)
- The Role of Antimicrobial Peptides in Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (Deadline: 31 July 2024)
- Peptide Antibiotics from Microbes and Venomous Animals, 2nd Edition (Deadline: 31 August 2024)
- Development of Antimicrobial Peptides from Amphibian, 2nd Edition (Deadline: 30 November 2024)