ABSTRACT
Naturally occurring microorganisms are the primary resource for biotechnological innovation. To this point, however, relatively few strains of microorganisms, probably less than 5% of the total existing in nature, have been screened for exceptional properties. Consequently, microbiologists throughout the world are searching for unknown microbial species that produce substances with unique pharmaceutical or chemical properties. It has been shown that strains inhabiting extreme environments are most likely to produce useful bioactive compounds. Since Mongolia is a country with exceedingly variable climatic and exotic environmental conditions – including deserts, hot springs, permafrost, and saline lakes – there are likely to be a wide variety of microorganisms with unusual properties waiting to be discovered here.
