PRJNA269249
Krubera-Voronja cave Metagenome
Absence of light, constant low temperature, high humidity and scarcity of organic matter make underground habitats an extreme environment for living organisms. Harsh conditions and isolation lead to formation of unique microbial communities, making caves a promising yet poorly understood field for study of biodiversity. Studies of microbial communities in caves may provide insights of microbial relationships, biogeochemical processes, evolution and even how extraterrestrial life could function. But most importantly, they can lead to the discovery of novel bioactive compounds. The goal of this project is to analyze the microbial communities of Krubera-Voronja, the deepest known cave in the world, by using molecular techniques. It is our belief that the results of this project will not only reveal an unknown underground biodiversity and lead to discovery of important bioactive substances, but will also draw attention to the importance of cave conservation.