The Role of Antibodies in Combating Bacterial Infections and Antibiotic Resistance

Dear Colleagues,

The escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance and the continuous emergence of novel pathogens have underscored the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies. Among these, anti-infective antibodies have re-emerged as a promising class of biologics, offering targeted mechanisms to neutralize pathogens, block virulence factors, and modulate host immunity. Unlike traditional antibiotics, antibodies offer high specificity, reduce off-target effects, and have the potential for long-lasting protection, making them attractive for use in both prophylactic and therapeutic applications.

Recent advances in antibody engineering, including Fc optimization, glycoengineering, bispecific formats, nanobody development, and antibody–drug conjugates, have expanded the scope of anti-infective interventions. Clinical successes, such as monoclonal antibodies for respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2, highlight their translational potential, while ongoing research is exploring applications against multidrug-resistant bacteria, pathogens where vaccine development is challenging, and emerging viral threats. Despite challenges in terms of cost, manufacturing, and regulatory pathways, this field is rapidly evolving, driven by technological innovation and global health challenges.

This Special Issue will bring together cutting-edge research and perspectives on anti-infective antibodies, spanning molecular design, clinical development, and future directions. By fostering dialogue across disciplines, we aim to accelerate progress towards effective, sustainable solutions for infectious disease management in the 21st century.

Prof. Dr. Mattias Collin
Dr. Pontus Nordenfelt
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibodies is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.