Ali Diyapoglu, Alican Abay, Menghsiao Meng
Burkholderia is a metabolically versatile genus of Gram-negative bacteria that inhabits niches ranging from soil and water to plants and clinical environments. This review provides an integrated examination of Burkholderia species, focusing on their dual roles as both pathogens and beneficial microorganisms. Key pathogenic species, such as members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex and the Burkholderia pseudomallei group, pose significant threats to human, animal, and plant health due to their intrinsic antibiotic resistance and diverse virulence factors. Conversely, several environmental and plant-associated Burkholderia species promote plant growth, enhance nutrient uptake, and serve as biocontrol agents, supporting sustainable agriculture. We synthesize current knowledge across taxonomy, genomics, pathogenicity, beneficial interactions, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis—including the prolific production of antibiotics, toxins, and volatile organic compounds with pharmaceutical and agricultural potential. Advances in high-throughput genomics are revealing substantial genetic diversity, genome plasticity, and mechanisms underlying both pathogenicity and beneficial traits. Clarifying this dual nature and identifying strategies to mitigate risks will guide the safe and effective exploitation of Burkholderia in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology.