Multiplexed sequencing for secondary metabolite discovery: the goal of this project is to generate draft genome sequences for 144 or more cultured marine actinomycetes. The focus is on the genus Salinispora, which has proven to be a rich source of unusual secondary metabolites. Multiple strains derived from different locations will provide opportunities to assess the ¿secondary metabolome¿ of a well-defined bacterial lineage and to better understand pathway evolution and how it generates structural complexity. This project provides a unique opportunity to apply genome-mining approaches to natural product discovery and to use population genomics to explore fundamental questions related to the ecology and evolution of bacteria.