The impact of genomics and related technologies on the search for new antibiotics

Over the past 20 years, the pharmaceutical industry has adopted a variety of strategies in the hunt for new antibiotics. Traditionally, the most successful approach has been random screening for new active molecules followed by chemical optimization, using simple antibiotic activity for primary selection. Until recently, more imaginative strategies were limited by knowledge and technology. The advent of microbial genomics has provided the information necessary to extend our knowledge into new areas of microbial physiology and to build the tools that will facilitate investigation. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how microbial genomics is being used to discover and develop new antimicrobial agents, targeted at specific clinical needs.