Extremophile cell factories extend research in biotechnology
Extremophiles are organisms that have the ability to grow in severe environments, such as at high temperatures, high salinity, acidic or alkaline conditions. Their enzymes and metabolic processes are therefore stable enough to permit high reaction rates and increased product formation, making them of tremendous value to biotechnology. These properties overcome the limits of current operating practices, and improved transfer rates and lower viscosity during production make the enzymes attractive for biotechnology research. The exploitation of extremophilic organisms and their cellular components therefore represents a real innovation in biotechnology, and their utilisation will bridge the gap between chemical and biological processes. The fundamental mechanisms of protein stability have been researched, facilitating design of application-specific thermostable enzymes for use in applied industrial areas. For example, progress has already been made in both applied fermentation and genetic manipulation technologies appropriate for extremophiles. It is anticipated that extremophiles and their cell components have an important role to play in future advances in biotechnology.