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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
07:51
High-throughput Identification of Synergistic Drug Combinations by the Overlap2 Method
Published on: May 21, 2018
Aligning antimicrobial drug discovery with complex and redundant host-pathogen interactions.
Sarah L Lebeis1, Daniel Kalman
1Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Graduate Program, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Cell Host & Microbe
|February 17, 2009
Summary
Novel drug development strategies combat drug-resistant microorganisms by targeting pathogenicity or host interactions, not just microbial growth. These approaches aim to disarm pathogens, allowing the immune system to clear infections without easily inducing resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Drug-resistant microorganisms represent a significant global health challenge.
- Existing antimicrobial strategies often face limitations due to resistance development.
- Host-pathogen interactions are complex and crucial for understanding infection dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore novel experimental approaches for drug development against resistant microbes.
- To consider the complexity of host-pathogen interactions in designing new therapies.
- To identify strategies that circumvent or minimize antimicrobial resistance.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing and analyzing experimental approaches in drug development.
- Focusing on strategies targeting pathogenicity, host factors, or immune responses.
- Utilizing systems-based approaches for target identification and validation.
Main Results:
- Emergent themes include targeting pathogenicity over growth.
- Strategies involve targeting the host or host-pathogen interface.
- Facilitating pathogen-specific immune responses is a key area.
- Systems-based approaches aid in identifying and validating drug targets.
Conclusions:
- Novel drug development paradigms can address antimicrobial resistance.
- Approaches disrupting pathogenesis allow immune system engagement.
- These strategies may lead to drugs with reduced resistance potential.
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