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What
are some of the practical applications of this work with microbes?
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By studying these organisms that grow in extreme environments,
we might be able to help when they go to look for life
off of this planet.
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Enzymes are a global market. Millions of dollars are spent
for specialty enzymes. Enzymes are proteins produced by cells,
including bacteria that perform certain chemical reactions.
They can be useful in industry or molecular biology. There
are companies out there right now that take enzymes and put
them into the deep oil wells. That allows for better extraction
of oil from the existing well. Some enzymes are used in the
pulp and paper industry at high temperatures. A few of the
enzymes from hyperthermophiles are being used in molecular
biology in specific tests. But more importantly, it helps
us in our research. Vent discovery has led to a great increase
in the field of geomicrobiology in which we are studying the
interaction between microbes and minerals - this may also
help in the better extraction of minerals from ores or using
the microbes for the removal of toxic compounds.
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"Black
smokers" spew out chemicals toxic to most life, but
vital to the creatures adapted to live at these dark
depths.
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By
studying these organisms that grow in extreme environments,
and by using new instruments and asking the right questions,
we might be able to contribute when others go to explore for
life off of this planet. One of the most interesting possibilities
is Europa, one of Jupiter's moons. It's believed to have the
first water ocean found off this planet. By looking at all
of the different extremes of life that exists here on Earth,
we may potentially have the right questions to ask with respect
to Europa. People have said, "Where there is water, there
is life." This is possible. But certainly where there's life,
there has to be water. As we look at some of these extreme
environments, we're trying to define the limits at which these
unique microorganisms can grow and survive. What temperature
limits? pH? Pressure? Toxic metals? And the interaction of
all these factors? If we can get an understanding of this,
we may get a better understanding of the unique niches that
can harbor life.
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Photos: WHOI
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