Arctic's Microbes being studied for new discoveries
Microbes
from the Arctic could serve as workhorses
of biotechnology to catalyse reactions at
low temperature.
After finding 25 bacterial
species in the Antarctica, a scientist here has
begun studying the microbial diversity in the
Arctic region for discovering new genes, bio-molecules
and enzymes with potential applications for pharmaceutical
and detergent industries.
S.Shivaji, Director-grade
scientist, Centre for Cellular and molecular
Biology (CCMB), who collected soil, water and
sediment samples from the numerous glaciers
and the Arctic ocean to prospect the microbial
diversity, told the The Hindu here on Wednesday
that the microbes from the Arctic could serve
as workhorses of biotechnology to catalyse reaction
at low temperature. He was part of the five-member
first Indian Scientific Expedition to Arctic
that returned recently after a trip to the North
Pole.
He would look into whether
the microbes living in the pristine glaciers of
the Arctic are similar to those on the icy continent
of Antarctica or unique to their environment.
He would also study how they thrive in sub-freezing
temperatures when organisms living in tropical
conditions cannot survive below 8 degrees C.
Genes
identified:Many of the discovered species
in the Antarctica were named in honour of that
continent, India and the two Indian permanent
stations, Dakshin Gagotri and
maitri located there. Using these
organisms, he identified genes required for survival
of mico-organisms at sub-zero temperatures and
enzymes of biotechnological potential.
Describing the expedition's
experience, he said: "The pristine cold environment
embraced us with its purity, cleanliness, glaciers
and the colorful ocean. It was literally a top-of-the-world
feeling. I was so exited that I wanted to work
from the very day of arrival and then realized
that during this period, the Arctic was one long
day without any night since the sun does not set
in the Arctic between May and August. I could
sample the numerous glaciers dotting the Ny-Alesund,
where we set up our camp".
Explaining the uniqueness of
sampling the glaciers in the North Pole, he said
there was no anthropogenic influence there, unlike
anywhere else in the world. Another striking feature
of the Arctic, unlike Antarctica, was that 6-7
percent of the land area was covered with vegetation,
including a number of beautiful flowers.
These life forms could serve
as excellent model systems to unravel the biological
basis of adaptation to low temperature and reveal
the various strategies adapted by them to survive
and reproduce.
SOURCE:
The Hindu Newspaper Dated: Thursday, August 30,
2007.
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