Extremophilic microorganisms

Unique Extremophilic Microorganisms, Collection of Unique Microbial Cultures, Russian Academy of Sciences (UNIQEM). 

These activities are supported by specialist s know-how and a portfolio of intellectual property. Proteus proprietary elements include a unique collection of extremophilic microorganisms, novel patented technologies for high-throughput functional biodiversity screening (Phenomics ) and for protein engineering (L-Shuffling ), novel chemistry... 

Recently, organic solvent tolerant bacteria, a novel group of extremophilic microorganisms that combat these destructive effects and thrive in the presence of high concentrations of organic solvents as a result of various adaptations, are being explored for their potential in industrial and environmental biotechnology [29],... 

The isothermal and isobaric conditions in a habitat require adaptation as a strategy at unusual pressures and temperatures. Extremophilic microorganisms are adapted to survive in ecological niches, and they produce unique biocatalysts that function under extreme conditions comparable to those prevailing in various industrial processes. 

Although there are many examples of enzymes for conventional microbial sources being used under extreme conditions, the discussion here will focus on those biocatalysts that are intrinsically produced by extremophilic microorganisms. 

Thus far, it appears that niches on earth that have even trace amounts of liquid water, no matter how extreme, give rise to extremophilic microorganisms of one type or another. This recognition has fostered efforts to visit extreme environments, often with the aim to discover new extremophiles that harbor enzymes of biotechnological significance. It remains to be seen whether such environments ultimately go beyond those existing on the earth. 

The reaction temperature is around room temperature, although some enzymes from extremophiles, microorganisms from extreme environmental conditions, can react very effectively at temperatures up to 120°C and down to -50°C. Sometimes, enantioselectivity can be improved by a decrease or increase in the reaction temperature. 

Bifimctional inhibitor of xylanase and asp>artic proteases from extremophilic microorganism Bacillus sp. asp>artic proteinase inhibits HIV-1 (Dash et al., 2001). 

Nicolaus B, Lama L, Panico A, Schiano-Moriello V, Romano I, Gambacorta A (2002) Production and characterization of exopolysaccharides excreted by thermophilic bacteria from shallow, marine hydrothermal vents of flegrean areas (Italy). Syst Appl Microbiol 25 319-325 Nicolaus B, Schiano-Moriello V, Lama L, Poll A, Gambacorta A (2004) Polysaccharides from extremophilic microorganisms. Orig Life Evol Biosph 34 159-169... 

These extremophile microorganisms and Archaea, which constitute the 3rd domain of life (the three domains of life being Bacteria, Archaea and Eukaiy a), also use QS. Thus, the study of QS in these microorganisms is one of the expanding domains of research because of their biotechnological effects, notably for the use of extracellular enzymes or metabolites, but also for knowledge of the mechanisms of adaptation of microorganisms. 

There are several cosmetic formulations that already contain new small and large molecules issued from fermentation. Ectoin , hydroxyectoine, and Glycoin are small molecules harvested from the fermentation of extremophilic microorganisms [37] marketed by Merck for Bitop AG. These molecules help microorganisms to... 

In this chapter, after a brief description of life under extreme conditions and extremophilic microorganisms, the adaptation mechanisms of these microorganisms are mentioned with a special focus on the production of EPSs by extremophiles and their ecological and physiological functions followed by a discussion on the application areas of industrially Important EPSs from various extremophilic producer strains. 

The discovery of extreme environments and studies of extremophiles not only offered important insights into biology and evolution but also provided clues to extraterrestrial life since these microorganisms are widely accepted to represent the earliest forms of life. Moreover, taxonomic studies on extremophilic microorganisms enabled Archaea to find its place as the third domain in the evolutionary tree of life [54, 61],... 

Nicolaus, B., Schiano Moriello, V., Lama, L., Poll A. Gambacorta, A. (2004). Polysaccharides from extremophilic microorganisms. Orig Life Evol Blosph, 34, 159-169. 

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