A Closer Look at Actinomycetes

"Actinomycetes are a versatile group of Gram positive bacteria widely distributed in the terrestrial and aquatic environments.

The specialty of the actinomycetes is that they have a mycelial appearance unlike most bacteria.

This group of bacteria is well known for their ability to produce a range of bioactive molecules, including antibiotics and various kinds of enzymes.

As they are known for their ability to produce various antibiotics, the actinomycetes are widely explored by various research groups in search of novel drug molecules.

Since the cultivation and maintenance of actinobacteria are not that easy as in the case of other bacteria, they are rather underexplored.

With the frequent emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria, which are outpacing the discovery of new antibiotics, there is a renewed interest in actinomycetes from special habitats such as extreme habitats in the marine environment, salt pans, geothermal springs, perm