ABSTRACT
Despite the fact that the name of our planet is Earth, the often used title “Blue Planet” reflects much better its true nature. More than 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by water and the vast majority, 95%, is in the oceans. The oceans were the cradle of life on Earth and the development and maintenance of the planet’s biogeochemical cycles due to their incredible habitants: the marine microbes. Marine microbes are thought to be the only form of life on Earth for billions of years and responsible for the development of life as it is today. They have an outstanding role in nutrient cycling, as source of unique bioactive compounds, and in biotechnological applications. Here, we are going to take a closer look into this fascinating microbial world and its importance in the maintenance of life on our planet.
