Metabolic Network Analysis-Based Identification of Antimicrobial Drug Target in Pathogenic Bacteria

Tradional methods of targets discovery took several years before a new class of inhibiting compound was identified. This approach further slows the discovery in fastidious, uncultivable, or intracellular pathogens. Genomics and computational biology allows new target discovery of any pathogens irrespective of its growth or strain chracteristics. Genomics annotations and flux computations allow multiple strain-specific target identification and examples of new targets in bacteria such as Staphylococcus , B. anthracis , and others have been presented. These methods are applicable to plant and animal pathogens as well.