Interplay of emerging and established technologies drives innovation in natural product antibiotic discovery

A continued rise of antibiotic resistance and shortages of effective antibiotics necessitate the discovery and development of new antibiotics with novel modes of action (MoAs) against resistant pathogens. While natural products remain the best resource for antibiotic discovery, their exploration faces many rates, (iii) tedious isolation and structure elucidation, and (iv) insufficient production for further development. We have identified recent innovations in screening methods, microbiology, bioinformatics, and metabolomics technologies, as well as natural product-inspired synthesis and synthetic biology, that have contributed to new natural product antibiotics in the past two years. We highlight their interplay as the key element for successful applications, driving future opportunities to increase the pool of natural product-based antibacterial antibiotics.

Automated summary

The rise of antibiotic resistance and shortages of effective antibiotics drive the need for new antibiotics with novel modes of action. Natural products, while the best resource, face challenges such as limited samples, tedious isolation and structure elucidation, and insufficient production. Recent innovations in screening methods, microbiology, bioinformatics, metabolomics technologies, as well as natural product-inspired synthesis and synthetic biology, have contributed to the discovery of new natural product antibiotics.