Infographic describing actinomycetes as soil-dwelling bacteria with branching filaments, important for decomposing organic material and making antibiotics; contrasts with cyanobacteria, which are photosynthetic, live in water, can form harmful blooms, and are sometimes called ‘blue-green algae.’ Both produce earthy-smelling compounds like geosmin but are otherwise very different and only distantly related.

Actinobacteria are diverse, Gram-positive bacteria known for their high G+C DNA content and ability to form branching filaments. Found in various ecosystems, they play crucial roles in soil health and produce numerous bioactive compounds. Notably, Actinobacteria are responsible for about two-thirds of naturally derived antibiotics in clinical use, making them vital in medicine and biotechnology.