The Göttingen competence network for genome research on bacteria specializes in microorganisms relevant to biotechnology. Its work is organized into four thematic projects and a central project devoted to the sequencing of microbial genomes and the production of DNA microarrays. The network consists of 20 research groups spread throughout Germany, working at 10 universities, the Research Centre Jülich and the German Research Centre for Biotechnology (GBF). Affiliated with the network are well-known industrial partners whose interest in the research ensures that findings are immediately put to use in concrete applications.