Includes bibliographical references (p. 297-328) and index.

Antibiotics : initial concepts -- Introduction to major antibiotic classes and modes of action -- Antibiotics that act on cell wall biosynthesis -- Antibiotics that block bacterial protein biosynthesis -- Antibiotics that block DNA replication and repair : the Quinolones -- Other targets of antibacterial drugs -- Natural and producer immunity versus acquired resistance -- Enzymatic destruction or modification of the antibiotic by resistant bacteria -- Antibiotic resistance by efflux pumps -- Antibiotic resistance by replacement or modification of the antibiotic target -- Regulation of antibiotic biosynthesis in producer organisms -- Polyketide antibiotic biosynthesis : assembly line enzymology -- Enzymatic assembly lines for nonribosomal peptide antibiotics -- Biosynthesis of other classes of antibiotics -- New looks at targets -- New molecules -- Contexts and challenges for the use of new antibiotics.