330
impossible (Shah et al. 2007). Research on novel antimicrobials becomes an absolute necessity.
13.4 Search for Novel Antimicrobials
Finding novel compounds that are effective against infectious agents including
those that are resistant to the available drugs became the need of the hour.
Investigation for novel, natural compounds from untapped sources would be a preferred approach over the production of (semi-) synthetic compounds. The structural
diversity of Parvome (small molecules produced by living organisms) and the higher
degrees of affinity and specificity for their targets that they gained due to millions of
years of evolution give the former approach an edge. The challenges would be
accessing the difficult-to-explore sources, designing methods to isolate bioactive
compounds from noncultivable microbes, screening of compounds and successful
completion of clinical trial, and finally, finding strategies for economical production
of drugs.
Natural remedies were sought by ancient men for thousands of years to treat such
diseases; plants being the chief source. Such traditional medicines are in use even
today in countries like India and China (Dan et al. 1993). Tribal groups from various
parts of the world have identified certain plants that are used against various diseases ranging from common colds to massive wounds (Isaacs 2002; Mazid et al.
2012). Centuries-long experience and intellect of human race lying latent in the
traditional knowledge was cleverly clubbed with modern knowledge on chemistry
and automation that paved the way for development of modern day antimicrobials.
Scientific discoveries of modern times on antimicrobial drug development followed
the cues provided by traditional knowledge and provided meaningful therapeutic
solutions. Natural products have always been the mainstay of modern drug development, which is evident from the fact that about 78% of antibacterial agents are based
on them (Concepcion et al. 2001).
Search for novel antimicrobials led researchers to untapped natural sources.
During the process, new organisms are also discovered. Both terrestrial and marine
sources are explored and the latest technologies are used for the identification and
characterization of novel products isolated from them (Harvey 2000). Organisms
living in extreme habitats are also studied in great detail as they are potent sources
of novel bioactive molecules. They are thought to produce such compounds due to
their unique metabolic requirements as well as ecological adaptations (Clardy and
Walsh 2004).
13.5 Terrestrial Sources
Significant progress is observed in the discovery of novel antimicrobials from natural terrestrial sources in recent times. Soil microorganisms are the primary sources
of antibacterial agents including many commercially available drugs such as
Lini Nirmala and D.P. Zyju
impossible (Shah et al. 2007). Research on novel antimicrobials becomes an absolute necessity.
13.4 Search for Novel Antimicrobials
Finding novel compounds that are effective against infectious agents including
those that are resistant to the available drugs became the need of the hour.
Investigation for novel, natural compounds from untapped sources would be a preferred approach over the production of (semi-) synthetic compounds. The structural
diversity of Parvome (small molecules produced by living organisms) and the higher
degrees of affinity and specificity for their targets that they gained due to millions of
years of evolution give the former approach an edge. The challenges would be
accessing the difficult-to-explore sources, designing methods to isolate bioactive
compounds from noncultivable microbes, screening of compounds and successful
completion of clinical trial, and finally, finding strategies for economical production
of drugs.
Natural remedies were sought by ancient men for thousands of years to treat such
diseases; plants being the chief source. Such traditional medicines are in use even
today in countries like India and China (Dan et al. 1993). Tribal groups from various
parts of the world have identified certain plants that are used against various diseases ranging from common colds to massive wounds (Isaacs 2002; Mazid et al.
2012). Centuries-long experience and intellect of human race lying latent in the
traditional knowledge was cleverly clubbed with modern knowledge on chemistry
and automation that paved the way for development of modern day antimicrobials.
Scientific discoveries of modern times on antimicrobial drug development followed
the cues provided by traditional knowledge and provided meaningful therapeutic
solutions. Natural products have always been the mainstay of modern drug development, which is evident from the fact that about 78% of antibacterial agents are based
on them (Concepcion et al. 2001).
Search for novel antimicrobials led researchers to untapped natural sources.
During the process, new organisms are also discovered. Both terrestrial and marine
sources are explored and the latest technologies are used for the identification and
characterization of novel products isolated from them (Harvey 2000). Organisms
living in extreme habitats are also studied in great detail as they are potent sources
of novel bioactive molecules. They are thought to produce such compounds due to
their unique metabolic requirements as well as ecological adaptations (Clardy and
Walsh 2004).
13.5 Terrestrial Sources
Significant progress is observed in the discovery of novel antimicrobials from natural terrestrial sources in recent times. Soil microorganisms are the primary sources
of antibacterial agents including many commercially available drugs such as
Lini Nirmala and D.P. Zyju