'Targeting Functional Centers of the Ribosome' investigates the mode of function, inhibition, and evolution of the peptidyl transferase center (PTC) by a combination of x-ray crystallography, biochemistry, molecular biology and theoretical studies.

This thesis describes research into the mode of function, inhibition, and evolution of the ribosomal catalytic center, the Peptidyl Transferase Center (PTC)--research that has already led to attempts at improving PTC antibiotics. The PhD candidate carried out two parallel studies. One using a combination of X-ray crystallography, biochemistry, molecular biology, and theoretical studies to obtain crystal structures of ribosomal particles with antibiotics that target the PTC, revealing the modes of action, resistance, cross-resistance and discrimination between ribosomes of eubacterial...