The biotechnological potential of piezophiles

摘要

Microorganisms that prefer high-pressure conditions are termed piezophiles (previously termed barophiles). The molecular basis of piezophily is now being investigated extensively focusing on aspects of gene regulation and the function of certain proteins in deep-sea isolates. Little attention has been paid, however, to the potential biotechnological applications of piezophiles compared with other extremophiles. Base don't he fundamental knowledge available, we will try to answer the following questions: how can we exploit the biotechnological potential of piezophiles? What can be understood by the application f high-pressure in biological systems?