Brazilian research on extremophiles in the context of astrobiology

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubens T. D. Duarte ◽  
Felipe Nóbrega ◽  
Cristina R. Nakayama ◽  
Vivian H. Pellizari
Keyword(s):  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
High Pressures ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Oceanic Sediments ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Antarctic Continent ◽  
Micro Organisms

AbstractExtremophiles are organisms adapted to grow at extreme ranges of environmental variables, such as high or low temperatures, acid or alkaline medium, high salt concentration, high pressures and so forth. Most extremophiles are micro-organisms that belong to the Archaea and Bacteria domains, and are widely spread across the world, which include the polar regions, volcanoes, deserts, deep oceanic sediments, hydrothermal vents, hypersaline lakes, acid and alkaline water bodies, and other extreme environments considered hostile to human life. Despite the tropical climate, Brazil has a wide range of ecosystems which include some permanent or seasonally extreme environments. For example, the Cerrado is a biome with very low soil pH with high Al+3concentration, the mangroves in the Brazilian coast are anaerobic and saline, Pantanal has thousands of alkaline–saline lakes, the Caatinga arid and hot soils and the deep sea sediments in the Brazilian ocean shelf. These environments harbour extremophilic organisms that, coupled with the high natural biodiversity in Brazil, could be explored for different purposes. However, only a few projects in Brazil intended to study the extremophiles. In the frame of astrobiology, for example, these organisms could provide important models for defining the limits of life and hypothesize about life outside Earth. Brazilian microbiologists have, however, studied the extremophilic micro-organisms inhabiting non-Brazilian environments, such as the Antarctic continent. The experience and previous results obtained from the Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR) provide important results that are directly related to astrobiology. This article is a brief synopsis of the Brazilian experience in researching extremophiles, indicating the most important results related to astrobiology and some future perspectives in this area.

scholarly journals Viruses of Polar Aquatic Environments

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheree Yau ◽  
Mansha Seth-Pasricha
Keyword(s):  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Microbial Life ◽  
The North ◽  
Cellular Life ◽  
Antarctic Continent ◽  
Cycling Of Nutrients

The poles constitute 14% of the Earth’s biosphere: The aquatic Arctic surrounded by land in the north, and the frozen Antarctic continent surrounded by the Southern Ocean. In spite of an extremely cold climate in addition to varied topographies, the polar aquatic regions are teeming with microbial life. Even in sub-glacial regions, cellular life has adapted to these extreme environments where perhaps there are traces of early microbes on Earth. As grazing by macrofauna is limited in most of these polar regions, viruses are being recognized for their role as important agents of mortality, thereby influencing the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients that, in turn, impact community dynamics at seasonal and spatial scales. Here, we review the viral diversity in aquatic polar regions that has been discovered in the last decade, most of which has been revealed by advances in genomics-enabled technologies, and we reflect on the vast extent of the still-to-be explored polar microbial diversity and its “enigmatic virosphere”.

Intracoin - An International Nuclide Transport Code Intercomparison Study

1981 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Andersson ◽  
B. Grundfelt ◽  
J. Hadermann
Keyword(s):  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Radioactive Waste Repositories ◽  
High Level ◽  
Intercomparison Study ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
Hostile Environments ◽  
Waste Repositories ◽  
Geological Formations

Much effort is currently centred on the construction of elaborate computer programs to model the release to the biosphere of radionuclides from proposed high level radioactive waste repositories in deep geological formations. Although the lack or poor quality of background data is often emphasised, it is generally considered that by examining a wide range of possible values of the important parameters involved, likely processes are assessed or their omission and possible relevence is acknowledged. However, one factor that has been almost totally ignored is the presence of micro-organisms in deep geological formations. The common assumption is that the biosphere is limited to the earth's surface, and soil to a depth of a few metres. Recent research has shown, however, that viable micro-organisms can inhabit deep groundwaters and that the biosphere can extend to depths of at least 5 km. Examples of organisms tolerant to extreme environments are given in Table 1 although ranges are likely to be conservative due to the difficulties of culturing these organisms, which tend to have exotic nutritional requirements, and sampling them in extremely hostile environments.

Wide-range equations of state for organic liquids

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 113-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.Kh. Bolotnova
Keyword(s):  
High Pressures ◽  
Equations Of State ◽  
Organic Liquids ◽  
Liquid Phases ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Pressures And Temperatures

The method of construction the wide-range equations of state for organic liquids, describing the gas and liquid phases including dissociation and ionization which occurs during an intense collapse of steam bubbles and accompanied by ultra-high pressures and temperatures, is proposed.

Kluyveromyces marxianus as a Probiotic Yeast: A Mini-review

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1163-1169
Author(s):  
Aziz Homayouni-Rad ◽  
Aslan Azizi ◽  
Parvin Oroojzadeh ◽  
Hadi Pourjafar
Keyword(s):  
Kluyveromyces Marxianus ◽  
Yeast Species ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Saccharomyces Boulardii ◽  
Biotechnological Products ◽  
Probiotic Yeast ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
Harmful Effects

Background: Yeasts play diverse roles in human life. Since ancient times, these micro organisms have been used to produce food products and beverages including bread and beer. Nowadays, the biotechnological products of yeast are some of the main components of commercial products. Objective: Some species of yeast such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces boulardii are recognized as probiotic yeast with extensive applications in the food and drug industries. However, certain species like Kluyveromyces marxianus are still not recognized as probiotic micro organisms despite their widespread industrial usage. In this study, the application of K. marxianus in preparing food and the medicinal product was reviewed in terms of its beneficial or harmful effects. Methods: Pub Med, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Science Direct databases were searched by using “Probiotics”, “Yeast”, and “Kluyveromyces marxianus”. Results: The findings suggest that K. marxianus can be recognized as a probiotic yeast species. Conclusion: It can be concluded that K. marxianus may be considered as a probiotic micro organism with a variety of commercial and medical applications.

scholarly journals Current Wildland Fire Patterns and Challenges in Europe: A Synthesis of National Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117862212110281
Author(s):  
Nieves Fernandez-Anez ◽  
Andrey Krasovskiy ◽  
Mortimer Müller ◽  
Harald Vacik ◽  
Jan Baetens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Wildland Fire ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Local Analysis ◽  
Wildland Fires ◽  
Fire Statistics ◽  
Quantitative Evidence ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Fire Patterns

Changes in climate, land use, and land management impact the occurrence and severity of wildland fires in many parts of the world. This is particularly evident in Europe, where ongoing changes in land use have strongly modified fire patterns over the last decades. Although satellite data by the European Forest Fire Information System provide large-scale wildland fire statistics across European countries, there is still a crucial need to collect and summarize in-depth local analysis and understanding of the wildland fire condition and associated challenges across Europe. This article aims to provide a general overview of the current wildland fire patterns and challenges as perceived by national representatives, supplemented by national fire statistics (2009–2018) across Europe. For each of the 31 countries included, we present a perspective authored by scientists or practitioners from each respective country, representing a wide range of disciplines and cultural backgrounds. The authors were selected from members of the COST Action “Fire and the Earth System: Science & Society” funded by the European Commission with the aim to share knowledge and improve communication about wildland fire. Where relevant, a brief overview of key studies, particular wildland fire challenges a country is facing, and an overview of notable recent fire events are also presented. Key perceived challenges included (1) the lack of consistent and detailed records for wildland fire events, within and across countries, (2) an increase in wildland fires that pose a risk to properties and human life due to high population densities and sprawl into forested regions, and (3) the view that, irrespective of changes in management, climate change is likely to increase the frequency and impact of wildland fires in the coming decades. Addressing challenge (1) will not only be valuable in advancing national and pan-European wildland fire management strategies, but also in evaluating perceptions (2) and (3) against more robust quantitative evidence.

scholarly journals Extensive reduction of surface UV radiation since 1750 in world's populated regions

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (20) ◽  
pp. 7737-7751 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Kvalevåg ◽  
G. Myhre ◽  
C. E. Lund Myhre
Keyword(s):  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Ultra Violet ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Ultra Violet Radiation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Extensive Surface ◽  
Year 2000

Abstract. Human activity influences a wide range of components that affect the surface UV radiation levels, among them ozone at high latitudes. We calculate the effect of human-induced changes in the surface erythemally weighted ultra-violet radiation (UV-E) since 1750. We compare results from a radiative transfer model to surface UV-E radiation for year 2000 derived by satellite observations (from Total Ozone Mapping Spectroradiometer) and to ground based measurements at 14 sites. The model correlates well with the observations; the correlation coefficients are 0.97 and 0.98 for satellite and ground based measurements, respectively. In addition to the effect of changes in ozone, we also investigate the effect of changes in SO2, NO2, the direct and indirect effects of aerosols, albedo changes and aviation-induced contrails and cirrus. The results show an increase of surface UV-E in polar regions, most strongly in the Southern Hemisphere. Furthermore, our study also shows an extensive surface UV-E reduction over most land areas; a reduction up to 20% since 1750 is found in some industrialized regions. This reduction in UV-E over the industrial period is particularly large in highly populated regions.

scholarly journals Biodiversity of Secondary Metabolites Compounds Isolated from Phylum Actinobacteria and Its Therapeutic Applications

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (15) ◽  
pp. 4504
Author(s):  
Muhanna Al-shaibani ◽  
Radin Maya Saphira Radin Mohamed ◽  
Nik Sidik ◽  
Hesham Enshasy ◽  
Adel Al-Gheethi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Bioactive Substances ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Applications

The current review aims to summarise the biodiversity and biosynthesis of novel secondary metabolites compounds, of the phylum Actinobacteria and the diverse range of secondary metabolites produced that vary depending on its ecological environments they inhabit. Actinobacteria creates a wide range of bioactive substances that can be of great value to public health and the pharmaceutical industry. The literature analysis process for this review was conducted using the VOSviewer software tool to visualise the bibliometric networks of the most relevant databases from the Scopus database in the period between 2010 and 22 March 2021. Screening and exploring the available literature relating to the extreme environments and ecosystems that Actinobacteria inhabit aims to identify new strains of this major microorganism class, producing unique novel bioactive compounds. The knowledge gained from these studies is intended to encourage scientists in the natural product discovery field to identify and characterise novel strains containing various bioactive gene clusters with potential clinical applications. It is evident that Actinobacteria adapted to survive in extreme environments represent an important source of a wide range of bioactive compounds. Actinobacteria have a large number of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. They can synthesise thousands of subordinate metabolites with different biological actions such as anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-virus, anti-cancer and growth-promoting compounds. These are highly significant economically due to their potential applications in the food, nutrition and health industries and thus support our communities’ well-being.

Bioencapsulation in Sol-Gel Glasses

1998 ◽  
Vol 519 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Bergogne ◽  
S. Fennouh ◽  
J. Livage ◽  
C. Roux
Keyword(s):  
Sol Gel ◽  
Porous Silica ◽  
Silica Matrix ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
The Past ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Activity Of Enzymes ◽  
Gel Glasses ◽  
Micro Organisms

AbstractBioencapsulation in sol-gel materials has been widely studied during the past decade. Trapped species appear to retain their bioactivity in the porous silica matrix. Small analytes can diffuse through the pores allowing bioreactions to be performed in-situ, inside the sol-gel glass. A wide range of biomolecules and micro-organisms have been encapsulated. The catalytic activity of enzymes is used for the realization of biosensors or bioreactors. Antibody-antigen recognition has been shown to be feasible within sol-gel matrices. Trapped antibodies bind specifically the corresponding haptens and can be used for the detection of traces of chemicals. Even whole cells are now encapsulated without any alteration of their cellular organization. They can be used for the production of chemicals or as antigens for immunoassays.

Facing extremes: archaeal surface-layer (glyco)proteins

Microbiology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 149 (12) ◽  
pp. 3347-3351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry Eichler
Keyword(s):  
Surface Layer ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Protein Biosynthesis ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Archaeal Protein ◽  
The Face ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
Physical Challenges ◽  
Insight Into

Archaea are best known in their capacities as extremophiles, i.e. micro-organisms able to thrive in some of the most drastic environments on Earth. The protein-based surface layer that envelopes many archaeal strains must thus correctly assemble and maintain its structural integrity in the face of the physical challenges associated with, for instance, life in high salinity, at elevated temperatures or in acidic surroundings. Study of archaeal surface-layer (glyco)proteins has thus offered insight into the strategies employed by these proteins to survive direct contact with extreme environments, yet has also served to elucidate other aspects of archaeal protein biosynthesis, including glycosylation, lipid modification and protein export. In this mini-review, recent advances in the study of archaeal surface-layer (glyco)proteins are discussed.

Motion of slender bodies in unsteady Stokes flow

2011 ◽  
Vol 688 ◽  
pp. 66-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Efrath Barta
Keyword(s):  
Stokes Flow ◽  
Slenderness Ratio ◽  
Creeping Flow ◽  
Slender Body Theory ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Unsteady Stokes Flow ◽  
Slender Bodies ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
Parameter Values

AbstractThe flow regime in the vicinity of oscillatory slender bodies, either an isolated one or a row of many bodies, immersed in viscous fluid (i.e. under creeping flow conditions) is studied. Applying the slender-body theory by distributing proper singularities on the bodies’ major axes yields reasonably accurate and easily computed solutions. The effect of the oscillations is revealed by comparisons with known Stokes flow solutions and is found to be most significant for motion along the normal direction. Streamline patterns associated with motion of a single body are characterized by formation and evolution of eddies. The motion of adjacent bodies results, with a reduction or an increase of the drag force exerted by each body depending on the direction of motion and the specific geometrical set-up. This dependence is demonstrated by parametric results for frequency of oscillations, number of bodies, their slenderness ratio and the spacing between them. Our method, being valid for a wide range of parameter values and for densely packed arrays of rods, enables simulation of realistic flapping of bristled wings of some tiny insects and of locomotion of flagella and ciliated micro-organisms, and might serve as an efficient tool in the design of minuscule vehicles. Its potency is demonstrated by a solution for the flapping of thrips.

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