The Genomic Imprint of Extreme Environments on Tiny Organisms
Scientists have recently discovered that tiny bacteria living in extreme environments can have a major impact on the environment. Researchers have studied the genomes of bacteria living in extreme conditions, such as deep sea vents, and found that they are surprisingly resilient and can influence the ecology of the location they inhabit. While these bacteria are incredibly small, they can have a big impact on the environment. For example, some bacteria are capable of forming colonies that have the power to alter the chemistry of the environment. By understanding the genomic imprints of bacteria in extreme environments, researchers can gain insight into how these microbes influence the environment and how they can be used to better understand the dynamics of various ecosystems.
source: Phys.org