Research and Recent Advances of Antimicrobials

Dear Colleagues,

Pathogenic organisms and viruses have been a scourge of humankind since time immemorial, consistently serving as the leading cause of disease and death. Pathogens also inflict significant harm on crops and livestock. This began to change with the advent of modern science in the 19th century, marked first by the isolation and description of major pathogenic bacteria and fungi, followed by the introduction of vaccinations and antiseptic treatments. The first half of the 20th century can be described as the golden era of antimicrobial substances, during which most of the antibiotics and disinfectants widely used today were introduced. In the latter half of the 20th century, the prevailing view was that the threat of infectious disease had been overcome in modern societies, with the primary challenge shifting to healthcare access.

This perspective has been significantly challenged in recent decades due to the increasing prevalence of resistant pathogens, against which many first- and second-line treatments have little or no effect. The COVID-19 pandemic further demonstrated that infectious diseases remain a global threat. The world’s rapidly aging population increasingly requires medical interventions and healthcare support, making healthcare-associated infections more common and often life-threatening for elderly patients. Consequently, disinfection and prevention are becoming increasingly important. Infected chronic wounds also significantly impact this demographic. Food security presents another significant challenge in the 21st century, involving strategies to minimize losses due to microorganism infestation in crops and livestock and preventing food-borne diseases.

With these global challenges in mind, we have launched this Special Issue in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, where we welcome scientists to submit their latest findings in the field of antimicrobial research. This includes, but is not limited to, research into the synthesis and characterization of antimicrobial substances, isolation and investigation of natural products with antimicrobial activity, antimicrobial polymers, proteins and peptides, drug delivery systems for antimicrobials, nanoparticles, and other novel formulations. Contributions focused on clinical applications, veterinary applications, crop protection applications, mechanisms of action, structure–activity relationships, disinfectants, preservatives, antimicrobial materials, packaging, and coatings will also be suitable for the Special Issue. High-quality review papers are also welcome.

Dr. Már Másson
Guest Editor

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.

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