Actinobacteria: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The actinobacteria are arguably the richest source of small molecule diversity on the planet. These compounds have an incredible variety of chemical structures and biological activities (in nature and in the laboratory). Their potential for the development of therapeutic applications cannot be underestimated. It is suggested that an improved understanding of the biological roles of low molecular weight compounds in nature will lead to the discovery an inexhaustible supply of novel therapeutic agents in the next decade. To support this objective, a functional marriage of biochemistry, genomics, genetics, microbiology, and modern natural product chemistry will be essential.