Penicillins and cephalosporins have a long history in combating bacterial infections. Despite new infectious diseases and occurring resistance, beta-lactam antibiotics will for many years to come continue to play a prominent role in our therapeutic arsenal. This book covers the industrial development of the chemical and biochemical processes used to manufacture these products, as well as looking ahead to possible future processes. The interplay between synthetic organic chemistry with the understanding and application of enzymes, modeling of fermentation processes and integration through (bio-) chemical process engineering is illustrated. In-depth scientific approaches to biocatalysis and biocatalyst development including enzyme kinetics, enzyme crystal studies and semi-rational enzyme mutations are also presented. Metabolic pathway analysis and modeling of fermentation process are treated as well as molecular precision in synthetic approaches to beta-lactams, their precursors and derivatives. Process technology studies including new reactor concepts, possible short-cut routes and improved down-stream-processing methods complete a broad view on the scope and limitations of the presently developed industrial processes including an intriguing insight into future process possibilities. This book represents an excellent case study on the transformation of traditional, stoïchiometric, organic synthesis and classical fermentations into modern (bio-) catalysis and biosynthesis based on insights in metabolic pathways and enzyme actions.

This book presents a thorough and authoritative overview of the multifaceted field of antibiotic science – offering guidance to translate research into tools for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases. Provides readers with knowledge about the broad field of drug resistance Offers guidance to translate research into tools for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases Links strategies to analyze microbes to the development of new drugs, socioeconomic impacts to therapeutic strategies, and public policies to antibiotic-resistance-prevention strategies

Updated with the latest clinical advances, Rowland and Tozer’s Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Fifth Edition , explains the relationship between drug administration and drug response, taking a conceptual approach that emphasizes clinical application rather than science and mathematics. Bringing a real-life perspective to the topic, the book simplifies concepts and gives readers the knowledge they need to better evaluate drug applications.

This book presents an essential overview of beta-lactams and their medicinal value and use in the preparation of other biologically active compounds. Written by internationally respected authors, the individual chapters explore beta-lactams’ synthesis, their mechanism of formation, biological effects, and function as base materials for other heterocycles of major importance.

Provides the most comprehensive collection of beta-lactam antibiotics (up to 269 molecules) with chemical structures, CAS number, IUPAC names and associated biological activities Offers a comprehensive collection of beta-lactamase databases, where the features of each database have been described Explains the self-defense mechanisms of bacteria for surviving, including the formation of biofilm and conversion into L-form, as well as secretion of beta-lactamase to deactivate the beta-lactam antibiotics Provides a comprehensive survey on the synthetic methods to make beta-lactams Gives all of the possible reactions involving beta-lactams as the starting materials Surveys over 1000 research works and includes all available DOI information

Studies of the bacterial cell wall emerged as a new field of research in the early 1950s, and has flourished in a multitude of directions. This excellent book provides an integrated collection of contributions forming a fundamental reference for researchers and of general use to teachers, advanced students in the life sciences, and all scientists in bacterial cell wall research. Chapters include topics such as: Peptidoglycan, an essential constituent of bacterial endospores; Teichoic and teichuronic acids, lipoteichoic acids, lipoglycans, neural complex polysaccharides and several specialized proteins are frequently unique wall-associated components of Gram-positive bacteria; Bacterial cells evolving signal transduction pathways; Underlying mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

Contents: B. Alcaide ∙ P. Almendros: Novel Aspects on the Preparation of Spirocyclic and Fused Unsual β-Lactams.- S.S. Bari ∙ A. Bhalla: Spirocyclic β-Lactams: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Heterocycles.- L. Troisi ∙ C. Granito ∙ E. Pindinelli: Novel and Recent Synthesis and Applications of β-Lactams.- C. Palomo ∙ M. Oiarbide: β-Lactams Ring Opening: A Useful Entry to Amino Acids and Relevant Nitrogen-Containing Compounds.- B. Mandal ∙ P. Ghosh ∙ B. Basu: Recent Approaches Towards Solid Phase Synthesis of β-Lactams.- A.Arrieta ∙ B. Lecea ∙ F.P. Cossio: Computational Studies on the Synthesis of β-Lactams Via [ 2+2] Thermal Cycloadditions.- B. K. Banik ∙ I. Banik ∙ F. F. Becker: Novel Anticancer β-Lactams