Das rote Haloarchaeon Halobacterium salinarum

Halobacterium salinarum – microbe of the year 2017 The microbe of the year 2017 thrives in harsh and salty environments, but offers some traits for applications in biotechnology or biomedical research. Among these are the carotinoide bacterioruberin, salt‐adapted proteins and enzymes, but also the light‐driven proton pump bacteriorhodopsin and gas vesicles. Halobacterium salinarum lives planktonic and is motile, or adheres to solid surfaces and forms biofilms. Biofilms protect the cells in stress conditions and support the exchange of DNA. Haloarchaea are extremely resistant and survive hundreds of years enclosed in salt crystals. Hbt. salinarum offers a lot to explore and is enjoyable because of its red color in nature.