The aim of the unit is to develop research projects mainly devoted to the biotechnological exploitation of uncommon and /or newly isolated and /or industrially relevant microorganisms, with a particular focus on antibiotics from actinomycetes. In parallel the research unit is involved in the optimization and process development for producing peptides and proteins by native or heterologous hosts, and pigments from actinomycetes and Pseudomonas spp, such as carotenoids and melanins, with possible applications for bioremediation, biofuel, pharmaceuticals and dermatological purposes. Microbial products are still unsurpassed in their ability to provide novel and unpredictable molecular diversity able to face the concomitant evolution of pathogen resistant strategies and complexity of biological targets. It is commonly agreed that less than 1% of microbial species living on the Earth have been identified till now and probably much less can be easily cultivated and maintained in culture collections. By accessing to peculiar habitats (from Antarctic lake mats to Alaskan permafrost and Israeli desert sands) and by employing selective isolation protocols, we have isolated novel bacterial species belonging to biotechnologically relevant microbial groups. Novel metabolic pathways and products are been discovering in some of these organisms and their elucidation together with the development of cultivation methods and fermentation process represents a main interest of the lab. For two lipoglycopepetide antibiotics produced by two different actinomycetes, we are studying the self-resistance mechanisms, condition sine qua non for the antibiotic production and for its improvement. Interestingly the resistance genetic determinants and the phenotypes resemble and probably originated those described in the target pathogens, i.e. enterococci and staphylococci. For other recently discovered antibacterials, not only the chemical structure, but also the mechanism of action seems to be novel and promising for generating novel drugs. Novel species of actinomycetes have been also exploited as producers of novel enzymatic activities. Interest is focused on specific acylases and mannosidases able to modify complex antibiotic molecules or on hydrolytic activities for biomass recycling such as ligninases and chitinases. Additionally, bacterial pigments, such as melanins are being investigate since non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and biodegradable. Finally, we are developing novel assays for testing the efficacy of novel antimicrobials on biofilms of model microorganisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.