Recently published Streptomyces genome sequences

ntroductionMany readers of this journal will need no introduction tothe bacterial genusStreptomyces, which includes severalhundred species, many of which produce biotechnolo-gically useful secondary metabolites. The last 2 yearshave seen numerous publications describingStrepto-mycesgenome sequences (Table 1), mostly as shortgenome announcements restricted to just 500 wordsand therefore allowing little description and analysis. Ouraim in this current manuscript is to survey these recentpublications and to dig a little deeper where appro-priate. The genusStreptomyces is now one of the mosthighly sequenced, with 19 finished genomic sequences(Table 2) and a further 125 draft assemblies available inthe GenBank database as of 3rd of May 2014; by the timethis is published, no doubt there will be more. The reasonsgiven for sequencing this latest crop ofStreptomycesinclude production of industrially important enzymes, deg-radation of lignin, antibiotic production, rapid