Current opinion in microbiology

Design, Use, and Future Potential of Antisense Oligonucleotides in Microbiology

Updated

Abstract

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) may represent a new class of antibacterials, termed ASOBiotics, designed to silence essential bacterial genes.

  • RNA-therapeutics have demonstrated clinical potential, particularly highlighted by mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • ASOs bind to specific mRNA sequences, leading to degradation or inhibition of protein translation in bacteria.
  • Originally created for genetic and neurodegenerative disorders, ASOs are being repurposed for bacterial infection treatment.
  • The design of ASOBiotics involves careful consideration of the bacterial targets and delivery mechanisms.
  • Challenges and opportunities exist in developing precision antibacterial therapeutics using ASO technologies.

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Competing interests

0 of 3
authors report competing interests
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PubMed

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