This book provides an introductory and general overview of advances in polymers towards their employment as antimicrobial materials. The author describes current approaches for avoiding microbial contamination, toward macro-molecular antibiotics, and prevention of antibiotic-resistant bacteria by use of polymers. He establishes the remaining issues and analyzes existing methodologies for treating bacterial infections and for preparing antimicrobial materials.

Dr. Juan Rodriguez-Hernandez is a tenured researcher at the Institute of Polymer Science and Technology (ICTP-CSIC). From 2005, his research activity has been centered around the preparation of surfaces in which both the functionality and the nano-structuration can be controlled. His research group works on the rational of controlled functionalization and hierarchically structuration of polymer surfaces with different properties having interest in catalysis, friction or as antimicrobial interfaces.

Polymers Against Microorganisms.- Bacterial infections: few concepts.- Chemical approaches to prepare antimicrobial polymers.- Nano-micro polymeric structures with antimicrobial activity in solution.- Antimicrobial/antifouling surfaces obtained by surface modification.- Nano/microstructured Antibacterial Surfaces.- Antimicrobial fibers and fabrics obtained by electro/melt spinning.- Antimicrobial hydrogels.- Antibacterial polymeric membranes.- Environmental and safety issues.- Applications and current status of antimicrobial polymers.