Interest in multivalent molecules has recently increased due to the biomedical applications of multivalent interaction. This interaction, analogous to the process of a zipper closing, occurs with receptor contact at multiple binding sites simultaneously. While conventional drugs are monovalent, a new class of multivalent drugs has the potential to treat a broad range of diseases with improved safety, efficacy, potency, and duration of action.

Synthetic Multivalent Molecules: Concepts and Biomedical Applications presents both the basic principles of multivalent interactions and up-to-date coverage of the design concepts, synthesis, and biological activity of multivalent molecules. With a systematic summary of experimentally tested case studies, this clearly written text serves to bring together otherwise scattered research material. Chapters cover multivalent molecules in the context of:

• Definition and structural elements
• Mechanistic basis of interaction
• Biological functions
• Biological targets in viruses, bacteria, and mammalian cells
• Methods for synthesis of multivalent molecules

Synthetic Multivalent Molecules functions admirably as both a textbook for students and a reference for libraries and professionals. Special features include more than 300 figures and illustrations that show multivalent concepts, molecular design, and chemical synthesis; summaries of all examples in tabular form in an appendix; and an extensive bibliography referencing over 900 citations.

Intended for a broad community of audiences made up of educators, advanced students, and professional researchers in academia and industry, Synthetic Multivalent Molecules: Concepts and Biomedical Applications stands as an invaluable, state-of-the-art reference.