Enzyme research heats up
The EC-funded SCREEN project focused on the study of such microorganisms, which belong to the Archaea kingdom of Crenarchaeotes. Their classification might appear complex but it is important to realise that Archaea microorganisms have very little in common to bacteria or fungi, the most common microbes we encounter. Research on these species is currently receiving increasing attention on a global scale, given their extraordinary properties. Sulfolobus ranks among the most well studied of these; most of the work on Sulfolobus has been carried out across the EU and SCREEN furthered this European lead. Microbial members of the Sulfolobus genus grow in temperatures of approximately 80ºC, in very acidic conditions, usually around areas of geothermal activity, such as volcanoes. Their cellular components, such as their enzymes, are of extreme interest to researchers because of their ability to retain their activity in such conditions. This property makes them ideal candidates for a variety of industrial applications, often in very high temperatures. Understanding the Sulfolobus genome therefore would open up a whole new array of biotechnology possibilities. Project partner, Copenhagen University managed to derive the complete genome sequences for two Sulfolobus species, Sulfolobus acidocaldarius and Hyperthermus butylicus. Having completed the genome sequencing of these species, researchers are in a position to screen for industrially useful gene products. They have already ascertained that the gene products are highly thermostable and as such could be of interest to a number of industrial partners.
