Researchers from the University of Washington are developing new antibiotics targeting bacterial methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS). This enzyme is responsible for charging tRNA(met) with methionine and integral to protein synthesis.

Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X), led by Boston University, is awarding $1.2 million to the Andrew G. Myers Research Group at Harvard University to develop a series of enhanced oral antibiotics that directly target a range of antibiotic-resistant bacteria which cause serious lower respiratory tract and skin and soft tissue infections.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a type of active peptide produced by the organism that are important host-defense factors, with broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, as well as significant properties such as antifungal and antiviral activity and immune regulation, among others.