In the 1960s, prior to the development of Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium was the main model organism among Gram-positive bacteria for intensive studies on biochemistry, sporulation and bacteriophages.
Na década de 1960, antes de que se estendese o uso de Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium era o principal organismo modelo de bacteria grampositiva para facer estudos bioquímicos, da esporulación e de bacteriófagos.