Phage-based target discovery and its exploitation towards novel antibacterial molecules

The deeply intertwined evolutionary history between bacteriophages and bacteria has endowed phages with highly specific mechanisms to hijack bacterial cell metabolism for their propagation. Here, we present a comprehensive, phage-driven strategy reveal novel antibacterial targets by the exploitation of phage-bacteria interactions. This will enable design small molecules, which mimic inhibitory phage proteins, allow subsequent hit-to-lead development these antimicrobial compounds. proposed molecule approach is distinct from therapy enzyme-based antimicrobials may produce more sustainable generation new antibiotics that exploit act in pathogen-specific manner.