Antimicrobial peptides as alternatives to conventional antibiotics

In a context where bacteria are developing resistance to conventional antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides represent a promising alternative. Their versatile mechanism of action, ranging from direct interaction with the cell membrane to modulation of immune responses, reduces the likelihood of pathogens rapidly developing resistance. This line of research relies on the use of bioinformatics tools, bioprospecting and gene mining to search for and identify peptides with antimicrobial properties. Gene mining and bioinformatics analyzes streamline and optimize the process of searching for and identifying antimicrobial peptides by leveraging the ability to systematically and predictively analyze large genomic datasets. Pre-screening of candidates using bioinformatics tools reduces the need for extensive experimental trials, saving considerable time and resources in the discovery of new antimicrobial peptides. The relevance of this line of research lies in its ability to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance while integrating into the holistic approach of One Health, which recognizes the interconnectedness between human, animal and environmental health.