Detection and identification of novel actinomycetes

The actinomycetes are well known as a group of filamentous, Gram-positive bacteria that produce many useful secondary metabolites, including antibiotics and enzymes. Although they have been intensively studied for both theoretical and practical objectives, there is much scope for developing our basic knowledge of the means of detection and isolation of these microbes. This session concentrated on new methods for the detection and identification of novel actinomycetes from a range of environments. Approaches to the detection of actinomycetes ranged from investigations of neglected habitats and extreme environments (e.g. alkaline soils and oil drills) to the analysis of DNA extracted from the environment and use of specific phages. The continuing problems of the identification of actinomycete isolates were also considered. Topics discussed included use of phage typing, DNA probes, and correlation between phenetic and genotypic species of Streptomyces.