Biodiversity and Biotechnological Applications of Microorganisms from Unusual and Extreme Environments

Dear Colleagues,

Extreme and unusual environments are characterized by physical and chemical conditions that are adverse (or even lethal) to most known life forms. The extreme habitats are those presenting high or low temperatures, high ionic strength or pressure, or low water content. Additional forms of environmental stress include high levels of radiation, absence of sunlight, high concentration of toxic pollutants, and deep starvation conditions. To survive under extreme conditions, microorganisms have evolved adaptation/survival strategies based on the production of peculiar enzymes and secondary metabolites and/or the establishment of specific synergistic and/or competitive interactions with (micro)organisms thriving in the same habitat. These unusual and typically under-explored ecosystems (i.e., deep sea, hot springs, glaciers, deserts, hypersaline lakes, mines, caves, and highly contaminated sites) have proved to offer a unique reservoir of genetic diversity and biological source of microorganisms. In particular, new “omics” technologies have provided insights into the extraordinary biodiversity present in these environments and into the cellular metabolic mechanisms involved in the microbial adaptation strategies. Starting from these biodiversity studies, microorganisms with novel metabolic capabilities have been isolated and have been outlined for their potential uses in pharmaceutical, medical, environmental, and food fields.

Dr. Martina Cappelletti
Prof. Dr. Aharon Oren
Guest Editors

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