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New Frontiers in Infectious Disease Research: Small-Molecule Probes and Biomarker Identification

Submission Abstract:

The biological relevance of small-molecule chemical probes targeting a disease model is crucial in the early stages of drug discovery. The integration of omics technologies such as genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, immunomic, and cellular levels has greatly enhanced the ability to identify novel biomarkers and understand the complex interactions between pathogens and their hosts. However, due to rapid advancements in omics technologies, the criteria for selectivity, biochemical and cellular activities for molecular probes are constantly evolving and need to meet required standards. Despite the availability of numerous compound collections for research, the level of characterization varies, and there are still many targets for which the appropriate small-molecule probe is lacking, especially in infectious diseases. Additionally, the lack of relevant predictive microbiota biomarkers and cellular or animal models of human diseases in viral and bacterial infections, which can be translated to preclinical or clinical studies, remains a challenge. These factors are likely to further transform the validation of potential drug target candidates for the development of anti-infectious disease therapies. This research thematic issue covers a broad spectrum of research interests that take a comprehensive approach to addressing current critical needs in this field such as, but not limited to, identifying new drug targets at multiple scales with the potential of developing small molecules and microbiota biomarkers to facilitate the development of new anti-infective agents.