Bacillus as an engineered platform for antimicrobial peptide biosynthesis: From chassis design to agricultural...

The genus Bacillus is a major natural producer of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and has emerged as a promising candidate for combating antibiotic resistance. In agriculture, the AMPs produced by this genus can serve as sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides, effectively suppressing crop pathogens and contributing to green development. This article examines Bacillus from a bioengineering perspective, highlighting its role not only as a natural producer of AMPs but also as a programmable platform for engineered synthesis and screening. Specifically, we focus on two major biosynthetic pathways: non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) and ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). These pathways, combined with specialized self-immunity mechanisms that prevent autotoxicity, can be optimized to achieve high yields. The article systematically evaluates strategies for enhancing the yield and quality of AMPs, with an emphasis on developing environmentally friendly agricultural biocontrol agents. Concurrently, we explore challenges such as resistance evolution and the inoculum effect, along with their respective bioengineering solutions. Finally, we discuss the emerging roles of artificial intelligence and genomic mining in the de novo design and discovery of AMPs. Collectively, these advancements transform Bacillus species into fully programmable antimicrobial platforms, paving new pathways for precision anti-infective strategies in the post-antibiotic era.