Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Fluorescence Time-lapse Imaging of the Complete S. venezuelae Life Cycle Using a Microfluidic Device
Published on: February 28, 2016
Regulation of apical growth and hyphal branching in Streptomyces
Klas Flärdh1, David M Richards, Antje M Hempel
1Department of Biology, Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden.
Abstract:
The filamentous bacteria Streptomyces grow by tip extension and through the initiation of new branches, and this apical growth is directed by a polarisome-like complex involving the essential polarity protein DivIVA. New branch sites must be marked de novo and, until recently, there was no understanding of how these new sites are selected. Equally, hyphal branching patterns are affected by environmental conditions, but there was no insight into how polar growth and hyphal branching might be regulated in response to external or internal cues. This review focuses on recent discoveries that reveal the principal mechanism of branch site selection in Streptomyces, and the first mechanism to be identified that regulates polarisome behaviour to modulate polar growth and hyphal branching.
Related Concept Videos
Gene Regulation During Sporulation
Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation
Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation
Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Stringent Response in E. coli

