2640
Halostagnicola larsenii XH-48 Genome Sequencing
The extreme halophiles have several practical applications. They can be used in bioremediation of high-salt environments. Bacteriorhodopsin has been used in several biotechnological applications including as part of an artificial retina, optical computing, and holography. Haloarchaeal lipids can be used to produce stable liposomes with applications in medicine and cosmetic industries, and exopolysaccharides from archaeal halophiles emulsify petroleum and thus can be used in microbially enhanced oil recovery. Halophilic enzymes involved in plant polysaccharide breakdown could be useful in the production of biofuels from biomass. We have recently identified enzymes from two halophiles from the GEBA project, Halorhabdus utahensis and Haloterrigena turkmenica, that may be involved in breakdown of cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin. The high-salt conditions under which these enzymes operate prevent the growth of contaminating bacteria, and thus could be useful in industrial breakdown of plant material. Sequencing of additional archaeal halophiles may result in the discovery of additional enzymes useful in lignocellulose degradation.