High pressure adaptation of extremophiles and biotechnological applications
Abstract During the last decades, high pressure has gained in importance as physical parameter, not only to study biomolecules, but also for its biotechnological applications. High pressure affects organism's ability to survive by altering most of cell's macromolecules. These effects can be used, for example, to inactivate microorganisms, enhance enzymatic reactions or to modulate cell activities. Moreover, some organisms are capable to grow under high pressures thanks to their adaptation at all cellular levels. Such adaptation confers a wide range of potentially interesting macromolecules still to be discovered. We firstly present the different effects of high pressure on cells and the diverse strategies used by them to cope with this harsh environment. Secondly, we give an overview over biotechnological applications of pressure sensitive and pressure adapted organisms.