The genus Nocardia as a source of new antimicrobials

Abstract

The genus Nocardia comprises over 130 species of soil-dwelling actinomycetes, many of which are opportunistic pathogens. Beyond their pathogenicity, Nocardia exhibits significant biosynthetic potential, producing an array of diverse antimicrobial secondary metabolites. This review highlights notable examples of these compounds and explores modern approaches to unlocking their untapped biosynthetic potential. As a relatively underexplored genus, Nocardia represents a promising source for new antibiotics to combat the growing resistance crisis.