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Polymyxins: Mode of Action

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Polymyxin Antibiotics: From Laboratory Bench to Bedside

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 1145))

Abstract

The dry antibiotic development pipeline coupled with the emergence of multi-drug resistant Gram-negative ‘superbugs’ has driven the revival of the polymyxin lipopeptide antibiotics. Understanding the mode of action of antibiotics is an important precursor for optimizing their use and development. This chapter provides a concise treatise of the current knowledge-based on the primary mode of action of polymyxins as well as recent developments in understanding of bacterial cell responses and secondary modes of action.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao Campus, Qingdao, Shandong, People’s Republic of China

    Zhifeng Li

  2. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

    Tony Velkov

Authors
  1. Zhifeng Li
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  2. Tony Velkov
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tony Velkov .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Infection & Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Jian Li

  2. Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville Campus, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Roger L. Nation

  3. Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Keith S. Kaye

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Li, Z., Velkov, T. (2019). Polymyxins: Mode of Action. In: Li, J., Nation, R., Kaye, K. (eds) Polymyxin Antibiotics: From Laboratory Bench to Bedside. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1145. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16373-0_4

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