Ampicillin, a member of the extended-spectrum β-lactam family, is a semisynthetic derivative of penicillin widely employed as a versatile broad-spectrum antibiotic. Its mechanism of action involves inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), disrupting the crucial peptidoglycan synthesis process essential for bacterial cell wall formation. This antibiotic exhibits efficacy against a diverse range of bacteria, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains like E. coli, β-lactam sensitive vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. In scientific research, ampicillin assumes a pivotal role, particularly in microbiological, biochemical, and cell biology investigations. Its application in laboratories extends to the exploration of antibiotic resistance and penetration limitations, the study of synergistic interactions among multiple antibiotics, and serving as a vital component for selecting and maintaining recombinant plasmids in E. coli. Ampicillin in a convenient ready-to-use 100 mg/mL in DMSO solution is useful in the selection of bacteria cells with specific resistance.
Chemical structure: β-lactam

Ampicillin is used to select bacteria cells with specific resistance during general microbiology studies. It is used to study antibiotic resistance and penetration limitations, the synergy between multiple antibiotics, certain bloodstream infections, and has been used to develop PCR assays to detect resistance genes in cerebrospinal fluid.