Low Temperature Microbiology Meets the Global Challenges of Our Time

Dear Colleagues,

Low temperature microbiology has recently been thrust into both the scientific and the public spotlight. Some of the big challenges that our society faces relate to the cryosphere and its microbial inhabitants. From the role of permafrost microorganisms in greenhouse gas emission to the use of cold-active enzymes as sustainable biotechnological products, several research fronts are already open. However, many remain unexplored. For example, novel, high-impact study opportunities, such as those involving environmental microbial paleo-genomics and microbial paleo-ecology, as well as the possible threat posed by the re-emergence of old pathogens, are linked to the long-term preservation potential of microbial DNA and cells in ancient ice.

This Special Issue aims to compile scientific contributions on low temperature microbiology with a focus on current and future global challenges. Original research, review, and perspective papers addressing the following topic areas will be considered:

1. Environmental change: e.g., the taxonomic and functional diversity of microbial communities in polar and alpine regions, biodiversity loss, biotic and abiotic interactions, biological processes and biogeochemical cycles, greenhouse gas production, ice-albedo, etc.
2. Long-term microbial preservation in nature: e.g., microbial ancient DNA (aDNA), viability and metabolic activity of microorganisms in ancient cryo-environments, old pathogens in melting glaciers and permafrost, etc.
3. Sustainable bioproducts and bioprocesses: e.g., omics-based approaches to the discovery of functional molecules, expression systems and fermentation strategies, cryo-enzymes, antimicrobials, biosurfactants and other cold-active biomolecules of biotechnological potential, etc.

We look forward to receiving your contributions!

Dr. Amedea Perfumo
Dr. Angelina Lo Giudice
Guest Editors

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