Synthetic Biology Approaches in Reversing Resistance Phenotypes

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health crisis, posing a serious threat to the treatment of bacterial infections. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains. Traditional antibiotic development has failed to keep up with the rapid rise of resistance, necessitating alternative strategies. Synthetic biology, an interdisciplinary field that combines biology with engineering principles, offers promising solutions for reversing bacterial resistance phenotypes. This paper explores how synthetic biology approaches, such as gene editing, engineered antimicrobial peptides, and synthetic bacteriophages, can be utilized to target and disrupt the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance. These strategies have the potential to restore bacterial susceptibility to existing antibiotics, offering more precise and sustainable treatment options compared to conventional drugs. Additionally, the paper addresses the challenges associated with synthetic biology applications, including safety concerns, ethical implications, and the risk of resistance to engineered therapies. Despite these challenges, synthetic biology holds significant promise as a complementary tool in the fight against AMR. The paper highlights the potential of synthetic biology to revolutionize AMR treatment, providing a tailored and innovative approach to combat one of the most urgent public health threats of our time.