Microbial Drug Resistance

Antibiotics are among the drugs that humans developed in the past century that have had the highest impact on our lives, largely contributing, together with vaccination, to the increase of human life span. These drugs are still seen in the public's mind as miracle drugs easily available to treat bacterial infections, mainly, because antibiotics are cheap and effective. Their huge success has led the pharma industry to disengage themselves gradually from antimicrobial research and development; hence, the pipeline of novel molecules is drying out.

Consequently, their success and massive use has also paved the way for the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotics have been used not only for human health but also extensively as growth and health promoters in animal husbandry, agriculture, and aquaculture, facilitating the emergence and spread of resistance mechanisms. The O'Neill report estimates that by 2050 ten million people will die from an antibiotic-resistant infection surpassing the number of cancer-related deaths (https://amr-review.org/) if antimicrobial resistance goes unchecked.

Microbial Drug Resistance welcomes original research articles, short reports, review articles, opinion pieces, commentaries, and perspectives. Papers that describe only small incremental work will not be considered for peer review and publication.

Suggested topic areas include, among others:

• Molecular biology of resistance mechanisms
• Mechanisms of resistance dissemination and emergence
• Molecular epidemiology of resistance
• Reservoirs of resistance and antimicrobial genes
• Targeting virulence genes and disease mechanisms
• Drug design and screening
• Novel natural products screens and anti-biotherapy
• Novel Therapies
• Host directed strategies
• Infection control and stewardship

Visit the Journal's website to learn more, read past issues, and view author submission guidelines.

Please address any questions to our Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Ivo G. Boneca.