A perspective on the biotechnological potential of extremophiles

It is well recognized that many environments considered by man to be extreme are colonized by microorganisms which are specifically adapted to these ecological niches. A diverse range of bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae and yeasts have been isolated from such habitats and it is now widely accepted that these microorganisms provide a valuable resource not only for exploitation in novel biotechnological processes but also as models for investigating how biomolecules are stabilized when subjected to extreme conditions. This short review summarizes our current state of knowledge of this unique group of microorganisms and their enzymes, and attempts to identify their future biotechnological potential.