Strategies Used for the Discovery of New Microbial Metabolites with Antibiotic Activity

The discovery of new microbial metabolites is essential to combat the alarming rise in antimicrobial resistance and to meet emerging medical needs. This work critically reviews current strategies for identifying antimicrobial compounds, emphasizing the potential of microorganisms as a rich source of...

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Main Authors: Pablo Dasí-Delgado, Cecilia Andreu, Marcel·lí del Olmo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2868
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author Pablo Dasí-Delgado
Cecilia Andreu
Marcel·lí del Olmo
author_facet Pablo Dasí-Delgado
Cecilia Andreu
Marcel·lí del Olmo
author_sort Pablo Dasí-Delgado
collection DOAJ
description The discovery of new microbial metabolites is essential to combat the alarming rise in antimicrobial resistance and to meet emerging medical needs. This work critically reviews current strategies for identifying antimicrobial compounds, emphasizing the potential of microorganisms as a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites. This review explores innovative methods, such as investigating extreme environments where adverse conditions favor the emergence of unique metabolites; developing techniques, like the iChip, to cultivate previously uncultivable bacteria; using metagenomics to analyze complex samples that are difficult to isolate; and integrates artificial intelligence to accelerate genomic mining, structural prediction, and drug discovery optimization processes. The importance of overcoming current challenges, such as replicating findings, low research investment, and the lack of adapted collection technologies, is also emphasized. Additionally, this work analyzes the crucial role of bacterial resistance and the necessity of a holistic approach involving new technologies, sustained investment, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This work emphasizes not only the current state of metabolite discovery but also the challenges that must be addressed to ensure a continuous flow of new therapeutic molecules in the coming decades.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1420-3049
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series Molecules
spelling doaj-art-3a66dc7fc61646cb9ee9fdc6f521613e2025-08-20T03:50:16ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-07-013013286810.3390/molecules30132868Strategies Used for the Discovery of New Microbial Metabolites with Antibiotic ActivityPablo Dasí-Delgado0Cecilia Andreu1Marcel·lí del Olmo2Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat de València (UVEG), Dr. Moliner 50, E-46100 Burjassot, València, SpainDepartament de Química Orgànica, Universitat de València (UVEG), Vicent Andrés Estellés s.n., E-46100 Burjassot, València, SpainDepartament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat de València (UVEG), Dr. Moliner 50, E-46100 Burjassot, València, SpainThe discovery of new microbial metabolites is essential to combat the alarming rise in antimicrobial resistance and to meet emerging medical needs. This work critically reviews current strategies for identifying antimicrobial compounds, emphasizing the potential of microorganisms as a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites. This review explores innovative methods, such as investigating extreme environments where adverse conditions favor the emergence of unique metabolites; developing techniques, like the iChip, to cultivate previously uncultivable bacteria; using metagenomics to analyze complex samples that are difficult to isolate; and integrates artificial intelligence to accelerate genomic mining, structural prediction, and drug discovery optimization processes. The importance of overcoming current challenges, such as replicating findings, low research investment, and the lack of adapted collection technologies, is also emphasized. Additionally, this work analyzes the crucial role of bacterial resistance and the necessity of a holistic approach involving new technologies, sustained investment, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This work emphasizes not only the current state of metabolite discovery but also the challenges that must be addressed to ensure a continuous flow of new therapeutic molecules in the coming decades.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2868antibioticantimicrobial resistanceartificial intelligencedrug discoveryextremophilesisolation Chip
spellingShingle Pablo Dasí-Delgado
Cecilia Andreu
Marcel·lí del Olmo
Strategies Used for the Discovery of New Microbial Metabolites with Antibiotic Activity
Molecules
antibiotic
antimicrobial resistance
artificial intelligence
drug discovery
extremophiles
isolation Chip
title Strategies Used for the Discovery of New Microbial Metabolites with Antibiotic Activity
title_full Strategies Used for the Discovery of New Microbial Metabolites with Antibiotic Activity
title_fullStr Strategies Used for the Discovery of New Microbial Metabolites with Antibiotic Activity
title_full_unstemmed Strategies Used for the Discovery of New Microbial Metabolites with Antibiotic Activity
title_short Strategies Used for the Discovery of New Microbial Metabolites with Antibiotic Activity
title_sort strategies used for the discovery of new microbial metabolites with antibiotic activity
topic antibiotic
antimicrobial resistance
artificial intelligence
drug discovery
extremophiles
isolation Chip
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2868
work_keys_str_mv AT pablodasidelgado strategiesusedforthediscoveryofnewmicrobialmetaboliteswithantibioticactivity
AT ceciliaandreu strategiesusedforthediscoveryofnewmicrobialmetaboliteswithantibioticactivity
AT marcellidelolmo strategiesusedforthediscoveryofnewmicrobialmetaboliteswithantibioticactivity