鈥楧ark matter鈥� discoveries shine light on new treatments for disease Published on: 27 November 2017 Soils from one of the highest, driest places on earth harbour microorganisms with the potential to treat HIV and tackle the world鈥檚 antibiotic time bomb. Analysis of soils from the Cerro Chajnantor mountain landscape of Chile within the Atacama Desert, one of only two coastal deserts in the world, has revealed a treasure trove of bacteria with the potential to fight disease. Published this month in the academic journal Extremophiles, the work was carried out as part of an international project and led by Professors Juan Asenjo (University of Chile), Alan Bull (Kent University), Michael Goodfellow (缅北禁地) and Marcel Jaspars (Aberdeen University). , Senior Research Investigator, , Lecturer in Biological Modelling at 缅北禁地 and Dr Hamidah Idris, a former PhD student under their supervision, have explained these exciting findings from soil samples taken from heights of 3,000 to 5,000 metres above sea level. "Treasure trove" of bacteria with the potential to fight disease New discoveries “The Atacama Desert is the most extreme, non-polar biome on Earth considered to represent the dry limit for life and thought to be similar to soils on Mars,” said . “This study focused on actinobacteria as they are keystone species in our ecosystems and are acknowledged as an unrivalled source of bioactive compounds. “Surprisingly, we found that this landscape is an extraordinary repository for actinobacterial ‘dark matter’ – which basically comprises the vast majority of microbes that microbiologists are currently unable to cultivate. It is particularly interesting that there is so much ‘dark matter’ in Atacama Desert soils, which until recently were thought to be devoid of life. “After analysis we found that 40 per cent of the actinobacteria captured in samples could not be given ascribed names as they had never before been discovered. "This microbial seed bank represents an enormous untapped resource for biotechnology programmes; especially in an era where resistance to existing antibiotics is rapidly becoming a major threat to global health. The discovery of new bacteria could potentially be used to create new treatments as work continues to tackle the antibiotics time-bomb. “It is also notable that one strain of bacteria found is proven to be an inhibitor of an enzyme that allows the HIV virus to reproduce itself. This could provide essential clues for the development of anti-HIV drugs.” Environmental limits to life on earth The Cerro Chajnantor landscape of the Central Andes is a lava dome and part of a large volcanic complex formed on top of a pyroclastic shield - a type of volcano whose broad low-angle slopes are formed by accumulation of fragmental material from powerful explosive eruptions. It is subject to a combination of extreme environmental conditions including the world’s highest levels of surface Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV-B irradiance and a range of unique soil characteristics were found to be very significant in determining the community compositions of bacteria in the area studied. Since the mid-1970s, when microbiologists recognised that extreme environments are capable of sustaining life, research has developed rapidly; the attraction for microbiologists is that environmental limits to life on earth are defined by the presence of microorganisms. Nevertheless, reports of the microbiology of high altitude mountain soils worldwide are sparse and little information is available relating to those of the Central-Andes. said: “The data in this paper are among the first relating to the microbiology of very dry, very high altitude deserts. They provide important base-line information on the structure of actinobacterial communities in soils. We hope they will be used as a springboard for further research to benefit landscapes and people around the world.” References: ‘High altitude, hyper-arid soils of the Central-Andes harbour mega-diverse communities of actinobacteria’. Michael Goodfellow et al. DOI: 10.1007/s00792-017-0976-5 ‘Actinobacterial rare biospheres and Dark Matter revealed in habitats of the Chilean Atacama Desert’. Michael Goodfellow et al. . DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08937-4 Latest News Online Safety Act drives VPN interest and raises privacy concerns People鈥檚 online behaviour has changed in response to legislation to prevent children from viewing harmful content 鈥� raising possible privacy and security risks, research suggests. published on: 16 October 2026 缅北禁地 archaeologist receives prestigious award for research Professor Chris Fowler has been awarded the 2026 Rivers Memorial Medal in recognition of his internationally significant research on kinship in Neolithic Britain. published on: 13 October 2026 Event will explore what 鈥楳anchesterism鈥� means for the North East An event at 缅北禁地 will explore what 鈥楳anchesterism鈥� means for the North East or whether it is simply a new chapter in the long-running debate about how to rebalance Britain. published on: 13 October 2026 Facts and figures
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