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Updated: Sep 9, 2025

Anti-virulent Disruption of Pathogenic Biofilms using Engineered Quorum-quenching Lactonases
Published on: January 1, 2016
Combating Antimicrobial Resistance: Innovative Strategies Using Peptides, Nanotechnology, Phages, Quorum Sensing
Ana Cristina Jacobowski1, Ana Paula Araújo Boleti1, Maurício Vicente Cruz1,2
1Protein Purification and Biological Functions Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), P.O. Box 549, Campo Grande 79050-010, MS, Brazil.
Innovative strategies like engineered peptides, nanoparticles, and CRISPR-Cas systems offer new hope against rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This review details promising therapeutic approaches to combat resistant infections and guide future drug development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health threat with increasing mortality rates.
- Existing treatments face challenges in efficacy and safety during clinical translation.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to overcome drug-resistant pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cutting-edge approaches for combating AMR.
- To analyze engineered antimicrobial peptides, functionalized nanoparticles, and advanced genomic therapies.
- To provide a framework for developing next-generation antimicrobial agents.
Main Methods:
- Critical analysis of recent advancements in engineered antimicrobial peptides.
- Examination of functionalized nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications.
- Review of advanced genomic therapies, including Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-associated proteins (CRISPR-Cas systems) and phage therapy.
- Focus on strategies targeting biofilm disruption and quorum sensing interference.
Main Results:
- Engineered peptides, nanoparticles, and genomic therapies show significant therapeutic potential against AMR.
- CRISPR-Cas systems and phage therapy represent advanced genomic approaches with specific mechanisms.
- Biofilm disruption and quorum sensing interference are key targets for novel antimicrobial strategies.
Conclusions:
- Rational drug design and targeted therapies are crucial for developing effective, resistance-proof antimicrobial agents.
- Bridging the gap between experimental innovation and clinical application is essential for combating AMR.
- This review synthesizes current knowledge to guide future research and development in antimicrobial therapeutics.
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