Thermomicrobium is a chemotrophic, strictly aerobic, gram-negative rod, growing optimally in complex media at 75°C.
Thermomicrobium is of interest because of its membrane lipids. The lipids of
Thermomicrobium contain 1,2-dialcohols instead of glycerol, and have neither ester
nor ether linkages. In addition, cells of
Thermomicrobium are unusual for species of
Bacteria in that they lack peptidoglycan, the signature cell-wall polylmer of this domain of prokaryotes.
Taken from the text Brock Biology of Microorganisms (10th ed.). Madigan, M.T., Martinko, J.M., and Parker, J. 2003. Prentice Hall. 439p.