Novel Antimicrobials from Computational Modelling and Drug Repositioning: Potential Strategies to Increase Therapeutic Arsenal Against Antimicrobial Resistance.

Journal: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Published Date:

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most significant public health threats today. The need for new antimicrobials against multidrug-resistant infections is growing. The development of computational models capable of predicting new drug-target interactions is an interesting strategy to reposition already known drugs into potential antimicrobials. The objective of this review was to compile the latest advances in the development of computational models capable of identifying drugs already registered by the Food and Drug Administration for other indications with potential capacity to be applied as antimicrobials. We present studies that apply methods such as machine learning, molecular docking, molecular dynamics and deep learning. Some of these studies have / results that demonstrate the reliability of this computational methodology in terms of the identification of effective molecules and new targets of interest in the treatment of infections. In addition, we present the methods that are under development and their future prospects in terms of the search for new antimicrobials. We highlight the need to implement these strategies in the research of effective drugs in the treatment of infectious diseases and to continue to improve the available models and approaches to gain an advantage against the rapid emergence of AMR.

Authors

  • Antonio Tarín-Pelló
    Área de Microbiología, Departamento de Farmacia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain.
  • Sara Fernández-Álvarez
    Área de Microbiología, Departamento de Farmacia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain.
  • Beatriz Suay-García
    ESI International Chair@CEU-UCH, Departamento de Matemáticas, Física y Ciencias Tecnológicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/San Bartolomé 55, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain.
  • María Teresa Pérez-Gracia
    Área de Microbiología, Departamento de Farmacia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain.