The research study, which was recently released in the journal Environmental Microbiology, was the very first of its kind to sample hot springs on three continents with water temperature levels above 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit) in the United States, Iceland, and Japan. The environments have special geology and chemistry, practically like a fingerprint, so it was unexpected to discover extremely associated microorganisms separated by thousands of miles, said ORNLs Mircea Podar, co-lead of the research study with scientists at Montana State University.
” We found common microorganisms, but likewise diversity as the bacteria adjusted to local conditions,” Podar stated. The researchers theorize that tectonic conditions and geology of the hot springs are at play, supplying brand-new insights into how life and the Earth have co-evolved.
Reference: “Tectonic and geological setting impact warm spring microbiology” by Daniel R. Colman, Allison Veach, Andri Stefánsson, Louie Wurch, B. Shafer Belisle, Peter T. Podar, Zamin Yang, Dawn Klingeman, Kazuyo Senba, Katsuhiko S. Murakami, Jakob K. Kristjánsson, Snædís H. Björnsdóttir, Eric S. Boyd, Mircea Podar, 8 August 2023, Environmental Microbiology.DOI: 10.1111/ 1462-2920.16472.
Researchers conducted microbial DNA tasting at a Yellowstone National Park hot spring for a study sponsored by DOEs Biological and Environmental Research program, the National Science Foundation and NASA. Credit: Mircea Podar/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy
Researchers find evolutionary ideas while analyzing microbes in remote warm springs.
Researchers discovered similar microbial adjustments in warm springs throughout the US, Iceland, and Japan, providing insights into lifes advancement and possible biotechnological applications.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) scientists studied warm springs on various continents and found similarities in how some microorganisms adapted despite their geographic diversity. The findings yield clues to the advancement of life and whether a few of the hardiest microbes might be harnessed for biotechnology.