Extremophiles in biotechnology

i. Background:
Extremophiles are organisms that live in conditions that would kill other creatures (i.e. thrive in extreme environments where no other organisms are found). These extremcondition could as shown in table 1. Some extremophiles can tolerate extremely high levels of radiation or toxic compounds. Thermophile Organisms having growth temperature optimum of 50C or higher. Halophile Organisms requiring at least 0.2 M (330%) salt for growth. Organisms having growth temperature optimum of 15C or lower, (some can survive at Psychrophile 10C), and are unable to grow above 20C. Alkaliphile Organisms with optimal growth at pH values above 10. Acidophile Oganisms with a pH optimum for growth at, or below, pH 2. Piezophile (previously termed barophile) = Organisms that lives optimally at high hydrostatic pressure.

ii. Scope and state of art:

Applications of the extremophiles based mainly on the corresponding isolated extremozymes or proteins and to less extent on whole cells. Fortunately, extremozymes can be produced through recombinant DNA technology (genetic engineering) without the need to massive culturing of the source extremophiles.
Table 2. Examples of common applications of extremophiles

Thermophiles and Hyperthermophiles DNA polymerases Lipases, pullulanases and proteases Amylases Halophiles g-Linoleic acid, b-carotene and cell extracts,e.g. Spirulina and Dunaliella Psychrophiles Polyunsaturated fatty acids Ice nucleating proteins Alkaliphiles and Acidophiles Proteases, cellulases, lipases and amylases Sulphur oxidizing acidophiles Acidophiles

Applications DNA amplification by PCR Detergents Baking and brewing Applications Health foods, dietary supplements, food coloring and feedstock Applications Food additives, dietary supplements Artificial snow, food industry e.g. ice cream Applications Detergents and digestive aids Recovery of metals Organic acids and solvents

iii. Recent development and approaches:

Improvement of the cultivation techniques for extremophiles as a base for screening these extremophiles. The screening of relevant and novel extremophilic organisms in untapped extreme environments.

Quorum sensing in biotechnology

1. Background
A signaling molecule, a compound has to effect a reaction in a population of cells that is distinct from the manner in which the cells would behave individually. There are two kinds of quorum sensing: speciesspecific and interspecies. Many species of bacteria use quorum sensing to coordinate their gene expression according to the local density of their population. Similarly, some social insects use quorum sensing to make collective decisions about where to nest (e.g. honey bees and ants). Quorum sensing is believed to regulate competence development, sporulation, antibiotic synthesis, virulence factor induction, cell differentiation, and nutrient flux along with other physiological events in pathogenic bacterial infections

2. Scope and state of art

Organisms that use quorum sensing are able to constantly produce and secrete certain signaling molecules. These molecules are specifically interacting with corresponding receptors, when the inducer binds the receptor; it activates transcription of certain genes, including those for inducer synthesis. Medicinal applications: a. Inhibition of the biofilm formation within catheters or artificial valves b. Control of pathogenic bacteria such as S. aureus and P. aeuroginosa) through controlling their ability to form biofilm (aggregations), multiplication or expression of their virulence factors Industrial applications: a. Inhibition of biofilm formation in the oil pipes b. Improvement of the yield of production of valuable bioproducts such as proteins or antibiotics (this is through the regulation and induction of genetic expression)

Environmental application:
a. Induction of the biofilm forming ability to enhance the biodegradation capacity for removal of xenobiotics and other toxic pollutants b. Useful application for pest control through inhibition of multiplication inhibition of nest formation through misleading signals

3. Recent development and research

a. Screening and identification of other chemical molecules involved in qourum sensing b. Screening for novel natural qourum sensing inhibitors or inducers

Marine organisms in biotechnology

i. Background:
Marine biology is the scientific study of organisms in aquatic systems. And marine organisms are the diverse flora inhabiting thses aquatic systems.

ii.

Scope and state of art:

Over the past decade, marine microorganisms have become recognized as an important and untapped resource for novel bioactive compounds. The oceans cover greater than 70% of the earth's surface and, taking this into account by volume, represent better than 95% of the biosphere. Given this fact, the oceans present themselves as an unexplored area opportunity for the discovery of pharmacologically active of

compounds. In this review, data have been presented to illustrate diversity of microorganisms living the sea and the plethora of chemical compounds that have been discovered from them. However, greater investment in the development of marine biotechnology will produce novel compounds that may contribute significantly toward drug development over the next decade. Applications represented in bioactive compounds such as: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Antitumor e.g. Halichomycin and Thiocoraline Many new antibiotics Antiviral agents e.g. Cyanovirin-N that showed activity against HIV Anti-inflammatory e.g. Salinamides Beta-carotenes from algae the in