This stimulating new edition of the well-respected title primarily covers medically important antimicrobial agents, but also includes some compounds not in current medical use, which have been invaluable as research tools in biochemistry. The book's coverage reflects the evolution of molecular biology's impact on our understanding of the mechanisms of antimicrobial action and drug resistance. New material deals with the remarkable recent developments in unraveling the complex molecular details of drug interactions with key targets. The new addition also reviews key advances in the biochemistry and molecular biology of drug-resistant pathogens.

From the reviews of the sixth edition:

"This sixth edition builds on the successful formula of its predecessors with an accessible small format, clear diagrams and illustrations, key antibiotic structures and an engaging explanatory text. ? the great strength ... is that it has managed to convey the essentials of the topic without ? expanding in girth at each edition. ? this book remains the first port of call for those requiring an overview of the topic or seeking a starting point for more in-depth information on an unfamiliar antimicrobial." (Jonathan H Cove, British Toxicology Society Newsletter, Winter, 2005)