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TOMSK, May 17 – RIA Tomsk. Microbiologists
of Biological Institute of Tomsk State University (BI TSU) search for new
microorganisms in remote ecosystems of Siberia and Asia, and also study two
types of bacteria found in 2017; the data obtained can form a basis for the
development of new biotechnologies, the press service of the university said on
Thursday.
With reference to the head of the Department of Plant Physiology and
Biotechnology of BI TSU Olga Karnachuk it is explained: if in a plant and
animal world most species are already opened (only those remain unknown which
are in inaccessible places), the situation with microorganisms is completely
different – there is only about 5% bacteria which could be isolated from the
natural environment.
"We know about the existence of new bacteria, about what
characteristics they have ... but we do not know how they look. But if you want
to work with these bacteria, you need to keep them in hand, because not all
properties can be predicted ... Microbiologists of TSU will look for new
bacteria in hard-to-reach remote ecosystems of Siberia and Asia", – is
said in the message.
© РИА Томск. Павел Стефанский
It is specified that TSU scientists will select samples from deep
artesian wells located on the border of Transbaikalia and China, in Altai,
Kuzbass and in the north of the Tomsk region, and then "separate from them
the DNA of microorganisms and add together a full genome from them, as it
happens when playing tetris".
"The data obtained form a basis for the development of new
biotechnologies, for example, for the use of genes of microorganisms in genetic
engineering", – is added in the report. The project is supported by the
Russian Science Foundation.
Previously it was believed that the underground biosphere, where the
temperature reaches 60-70°C above zero, can not surprise with a large number of
living organisms. However, TSU reports, recently in the water of artesian wells
microbiologists of the university discovered several new microorganisms. Among
them there are two bacteria (Ozemobacteria and Sumerlabacteria). Within the
framework of the project scientists will study their properties and will try to
learn how to cultivate them in the laboratory.