[Overview and analysis of general projects in microbiology funded by NSFC during 2000 - 2006].

The general projects on subdisciplines of Microbiology which were funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) during the financial years of 2000 to 2006 are reviewed in this article. The number of general projects and funds involved are analyzed to give an overview of fundamental research in microbiology in China. Some important research fields in microbiology that the NSFC should support in the future are also recommended.

Morphologies and phylogenetic classification of cellulolytic myxobacteria.

The evolutionary distances of the 16S rDNA sequences in cellulolytic myxobacteria are less than 3%, which units all the strains into a single genus, Sorangium. The size of myxospores and the shape of sporangioles, rather than fruiting body colors or swarm morphologies are consistent with the changes of the 16S rDNA sequences. It is suggested that there are at least two species in the genus Sorangium: one includes strains with small myxospores and spherical sporangioles, and the color of the fruiting bodies is normally orange or brown, though sometimes yellow or black. The second species has large myxospores, polyhedral sporangioles with many inter-cystic substrates, and normally deep brown to black color.