Description

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Aimed at research scientists and biotechnologists, this book is an essential reading for those working with extremophiles and their potential biotechnological application. Here, we provide a comprehensive and reliable source of information on the recent advances and challenges in different aspects of the theme. Written in an accessible language, the book is also a recommended as reference text for anyone interested in this thriving field of research.

Over the last decades, the study of extremophiles has provided ground breaking discoveries that challenge our understanding of biochemistry and molecular biology. In the applied side, extremophiles and their enzymes have spawned a multibillion dollar biotechnology industry, with applications spanning biomedical, pharmaceutical, industrial, environmental, and agricultural sectors. Taq DNA polymerase (which was isolated from Thermus aquaticus from a geothermal spring in Yellowstone National Park) is the most well-known example of the potential biotechnological application of extremophiles and their biomolecules. Indeed, the application of extremophiles and their biologically active compounds has opened a new era in biotechnology. However, despite the latest advances, we are just in the beginning of exploring the biotechnological potentials of extremophiles.

About the Author

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Pabulo Henrique Rampelotto is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Springer Book Series "Grand Challenges in Biology and Biotechnology". He is also Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editor, Senior Editor, Guest Editor and member of the editorial board of several scientific journals on the field of Life Sciences and Biotechnology. Over the last years, Pabulo Rampelotto has guest edited several special issues on extremophiles. In his special issues, some of the most distinguished team leaders in the field have published their work, ideas and findings. His research interests encompass different fields of science, from basic to applied research, including: biotechnology, metagenomics, next generation sequencing, molecular biology and biochemistry of microorganisms, extremophiles, and astrobiology.