Micromonospora: An important microbe for biomedicine and potentially for biocontrol and biofuels

Micromonospora species have long been recognized as important sources of antibiotics and also for their unusual spores. However, their involvement in plant-microbe associations is poorly understood although several studies demonstrate that Micromonospora species function in biocontrol, plant growth promotion, root ecology, and in the breakdown or plant cell wall material. Our knowledge of this generally understudied group of actinomycetes has been greatly advanced by the increasing number of reports of their associations with plants, by the deployment of DNA cloning and molecular systematics techniques, and by the recent application of whole genome sequencing. Efforts to annotate the genomes of several Micromonospora species are underway. This information will greatly augment our knowledge of these versatile microorganisms. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.