Antimicrobial Peptide Assemblies
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 1884
Special Issue Editor
Interests: peptide assembly; polycondensate; underwater adhesive; antimicrobial; tissue sealant
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Antimicrobial peptides have emerged as a promising therapeutic alternative for combating bacterial infections. Extensive research has documented their dual advantages in addressing infectious diseases while countering antimicrobial resistance. Recent advances in peptide assembly mark a significant milestone in enhancing pharmaceutical performance—particularly in optimizing antimicrobial efficacy, improving proteolytic resistance, and achieving the cost-effective production of short peptide sequences. Furthermore, self-assembled peptide nanostructures demonstrate unique capabilities in prolonging systemic circulation time, enhancing cellular internalization efficiency, and facilitating targeted delivery with preferential bacterial membrane accumulation. Crucially, the inherent dynamic assembly and disassembly feature endows these nanomaterials with stimuli-responsive behavior, creating novel opportunities for developing intelligent antimicrobial systems capable of on-demand drug release at infection sites.
This Special Issue seeks to compile cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews focusing on four key dimensions of self-assembling antimicrobial peptide systems: (1) rational design principles guiding nanostructure formation; (2) innovative fabrication methodologies for functional assemblies; (3) mechanistic studies elucidating structure-activity correlations; and (4) optimization strategies balancing antimicrobial potency with biosafety profiles. We particularly welcome contributions that advance fundamental understanding of peptide assembly–disassembly dynamics, develop characterization platforms for nanostructure–bacteria interactions, and establish sound design rules for self-assembling antimicrobial peptides.
Prof. Dr. Wen Li
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- peptides
- peptide hybrids
- peptide conjugates
- self-assembly
- stimuli-responsiveness
- antimicrobial activity
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