Astrobiology Workshop, Macquarie University July 12-13 2001

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Extremophiles: the bungy jumpers of the microbial world

Rick Cavicchioli (University of New South Wales)

Extremophiles thrive in ice, boiling water, acid, the water core of nuclear reactors, salt crystals, toxic benzene, and under pressure equivalent to two elephants standing on a 10 cent piece - they will probably also be the first extra-terrestrials we discover, and some recent theories even propose that we evolved from these extreme ET's! This talk will provide a broad coverage of what extremophiles are, where they are found and what enables them to thrive under such abiotic extremes. Part of the talk will focus on two areas we are studying: cold adapted Antarctic archaea and low nutrient adapted ultramicrobacteria. I will focus on approaches and strategies rather than intricate detail. I'll also attempt to compile some facts on Lake Vostok and hyperbole on Europa and frozen astronomical bodies.