Translational Animal Models for Unraveling the Mechanisms of Action of Antimicrobial Peptides and Novel Antibiotics

Dear Colleagues,

The global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis is one of the greatest threats to public health, urgently demanding the development of new antimicrobial agents. However, translating promising compounds from in vitro discovery to clinical application is slow, costly, and prone to failure — often referred to as the translational "valley of death." This highlights the need for more predictive and robust preclinical models. Animal infection models are a vital bridge between laboratory studies and human trials, essential for assessing in vivo efficacy, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), safety, and mechanisms of action in complex biological systems. Choosing a model that accurately reflects human infection pathophysiology is crucial to clinical success. This Special Issue invites original research, reviews, and perspectives on the key role played by animal models in antibiotic development. Contributions may include traditional murine models, alternative models (e.g., Galleria mellonella, Danio rerio), and large animal models (e.g., rabbits, pigs, sheep, non-human primates), which offer unique translational advantages. Topics include evaluating novel compounds against multidrug-resistant pathogens, biofilm-associated infections, in vivo mechanisms of action, and PK/PD modeling to optimize dosing and predict outcomes. By showcasing recent advances, we will support the scientific community and accelerate effective antimicrobial therapy development.

Prof. Dr. Octávio L. Franco
Dr. Danieli Fernanda Buccini
Guest Editors

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