Rashid, Muhammad IbrahimTariq, ParkhaRashid, HabibaAli, ZainabAndleeb, SaadiaGul, AlvinaOzturk, Munir2024-09-192024-09-192020978-012819541-3https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819541-3.00006-2https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12483/14388Penicillin was the wonder drug developed during World War II. The golden age of antibiotics continued for about 40 years and ended with the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria or the superbugs. In this review we have covered almost all the vital aspects of this superbug-silver bullet competition ranging from resistance mechanisms, drug tolerance, biofilm formation, social interactions among bacterial populations to identification of more effective drug targets and the development of novel antibacterial agents. Currently in use and future alternatives to antibiotics are also discussed with a focus on the prevention of resistance development and spread. © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessAntibiotic resistanceBiofilmNosocomial infectionsSuperbugsBook Chapter8110610.1016/B978-0-12-819541-3.00006-22-s2.0-85147601237N/A