Quantitative and synthetic biology approaches to combat bacterial pathogens. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Feilun; Bethke, Jonathan H.; Wang, Meidi; You, Lingchong
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in biomedical engineering. Volume 4(2017)
• Page Start: 116
• Page End: 126
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Antibiotic resistance -- Gene circuits -- Quantitative biology -- Synthetic biology; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2017.10.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-4511

Abstract

Abstract: Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to public health. The rapid emergence of resistant bacterial pathogens endangers the efficacy of current antibiotics and has led to increasing mortality and economic burden. This crisis calls for more rapid and accurate diagnosis to detect and identify pathogens, as well as to characterize their response to antibiotics. Building on this foundation, treatment options also need to be improved to use current antibiotics more effectively and develop alternative strategies that complement the use of antibiotics. We here review recent developments in diagnosis and treatment of bacterial pathogens with a focus on quantitative biology and synthetic biology approaches. Highlights: Antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens is becoming a global crisis. Addressing this crisis requires development of innovative tools for diagnosis and treatments. These developments will benefit from advances in quantitative biology and synthetic biology.