The classification of life forms into a hierarchical system (taxonomy) and the application of names to this hierarchy (nomenclature) is at a turning point in microbiology. The unprecedented availability of genome sequences means that a taxonomy can be built upon a comprehensive evolutionary framework, a longstanding goal of taxonomists. However, there is resistance to adopting a single framework to preserve taxonomic freedom, and ever increasing numbers of genomes derived from uncultured prokaryotes threaten to overwhelm current nomenclatural practices, which are based on characterised isolates. The challenge ahead then is to reach a consensus on the taxonomic framework and to adapt and scale the existing nomenclatural code, or create a new code, to systematically incorporate uncultured taxa into the chosen framework.

将生命形式分类为等级系统（分类学）以及将名称应用于该等级系统（命名法）是微生物学的一个转折点。基因组序列前所未有的可用性意味着分类学可以建立在综合进化框架之上，这是分类学家的长期目标。然而，采用单一框架来保护分类学自由存在阻力，而且来自未培养原核生物的基因组数量不断增加，可能会压倒当前基于特征分离物的命名实践。接下来的挑战是就分类框架达成共识，调整和扩展现有的命名代码，或创建一个新代码，以系统地将未培养的分类群纳入所选框架。