Author Description

This volume summarizes major approaches and recent developments in the research on new bioactive metabolites of microbial origin including target-directed screening strategies, evaluation of new drugs, biosynthesis, genetic manipulation, and semisynthesis. Particular attentonis given to new microbial sources of drugs, new approaches towards directed screening, advances and future perspectives in antimicrobial, antineoplastic and phytoeffectory agents, and enzyme inhibitors as pharmacological agents. The contributions represent comprehensive surveys written by recognized scientists active in their fields of research. Together, they give an interdisciplinary view which focusses on exploitation of available microbial sources for drug development, problems of evaluation, mode of action, biosynthesis and application. The book will be of interest to scientists working in microbiology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmaceutical biotechnology.