New Insights Into the Antibacterial Effect of Nano- and Micro-Materials

Dear Colleagues,

The healthcare sector is confronting an escalating crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a phenomenon responsible for around 700,000 deaths globally each year. Forecasts suggest a grim escalation, with deaths potentially rising to 10 million annually by 2050, alongside a projected economic impact of USD 100 trillion. The transmission of resistant genes among bacteria—through direct human contact, across species, or via environmental channels—signals an urgent call for innovative medical solutions. The widespread employment of antimicrobials in healthcare settings is a key driver of AMR persistence, sparking a global scientific effort to counteract this trend. Over the last three decades, significant developments in technology and methodologies, especially within the nano- and micro-materials domain, have emerged in the fight against AMR.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the forefront of research and technological breakthroughs in nano- and micro-materials, with a specialized focus on their application within the medical sector to combat AMR.

We are seeking contributions that explore the following themes:

• The design and application of antimicrobial nano-particles and nano-materials, demonstrating their transformative potential in combating pathogenic resistance.
• The innovation of nano-scale delivery systems for antimicrobial agents, tailored to improve therapeutic outcomes and precision.
• The development of nano-scale coatings and surface modifications that confer antimicrobial capabilities to medical devices and surfaces, aiming to curb the proliferation of resistant bacteria.
• The advancement of rapid detection technologies for the quick and accurate identification of resistant pathogens within clinical settings.
• The fabrication of biosensors designed to detect antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, providing essential tools for real-time monitoring and management in healthcare environments.
• The investigation of naturally sourced antimicrobial compounds, including their nano- and micro-formulated versions, offering sustainable alternatives in the antimicrobial arsenal.
• The study of antimicrobial peptides and polymers at the nano- and micro-level which could lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies against resistant bacteria.

Titled "New Insights into the Antibacterial Effect of Nano- and Micro-Materials", this Special Issue aims to gather a wide range of research that not only enhances our comprehension of AMR but also underscores the innovative capacity of nano- and micro-materials to address this critical medical challenge.

Prof. Dr. Krasimir Vasilev
Dr. Vi Khanh Truong
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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.

• antibacterial coatings
• biomaterials
• medical devices
• antimicrobial resistance
• nanomedicine