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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Quadruple-Checkerboard: A Modification of the Three-Dimensional Checkerboard for Studying Drug Combinations

Quadruple-Checkerboard: A Modification of the Three-Dimensional Checkerboard for Studying Drug Combinations

Published on: July 24, 2021

Combination approaches to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Roberta J Worthington¹, Christian Melander

¹Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.

Trends in Biotechnology

|January 22, 2013

Summary

Multidrug-resistant bacteria pose a global threat due to a lack of new antibiotics. This study explores combination therapies, including antibiotic combinations and adjuvants targeting resistance mechanisms and bacterial signaling pathways, to combat these infections.

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High-throughput Identification of Synergistic Drug Combinations by the Overlap2 Method

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Last Updated: May 15, 2026

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High-throughput Identification of Synergistic Drug Combinations by the Overlap2 Method

High-throughput Identification of Synergistic Drug Combinations by the Overlap² Method

Published on: May 21, 2018

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Infectious Diseases
Pharmacology

Background:

Rising prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections presents a critical global health challenge.
A significant decline in the development of novel antibiotic classes over the last four decades has worsened the MDR crisis.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in combination therapies for treating MDR bacterial infections.
To highlight strategies involving antibiotic-antibiotic combinations and the development of antimicrobial adjuvants.

Main Methods:

Investigated antibiotic-antibiotic combination strategies.
Examined the development of adjuvants targeting bacterial resistance mechanisms (e.g., β-lactamase inhibition).
Explored adjuvants that interfere with bacterial signaling pathways, such as two-component systems (TCSs).
Discussed the screening of existing drug libraries to identify novel antimicrobial adjuvants.

Main Results:

Combination therapies offer a promising avenue to overcome antibiotic resistance.
Adjuvants can enhance antibiotic efficacy by directly inhibiting resistance mechanisms or indirectly by disrupting bacterial communication.
Repurposing approved drugs can identify new antimicrobial adjuvant candidates.

Conclusions:

Combination therapies, including antibiotic-antibiotic combinations and novel adjuvants, are crucial for combating MDR bacterial infections.
Targeting resistance mechanisms and bacterial signaling pathways with adjuvants represents a viable strategy.
Screening existing drug libraries is an effective method for discovering new antimicrobial adjuvants.