New technologies tackling infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance

This cluster highlights how science is reshaping our response to infectious diseases and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It spans concerns over a looming post-antibiotic era, new CRISPR-Cas12a tools for portable detection of resistance genes, and mRNA vaccines that rapidly train the immune system against pathogens. Complementing these are systems-level approaches to tuberculosis drug discovery, where complex multi-drug regimens are designed and managed to outpace resistant TB strains. Together, these advances show an ecosystem of diagnostics, prevention, and therapeutics evolving to keep ahead of resistant microbes.