Argentinean scientists found a new type of bacterium that could survive in extreme temperatures back in 2001. Now the gene structure of these bacteria has been decoded at last. The bacterium receive a name Biziona Argentinensis and the scientists will now examine the life of this extermophile bacterium to understand what keeps it alive in the coldest place on Earth. Temperatures in Antarctica can fall below 80 degrees Celsium.
When the mystery of Biziona is solved, the new knowledge could be used in horticulture. If the enzymes of Biziona could be reproduced, crops and other cultivated plants could be “taught” to survive low temperatures as well. This means a possibility to grow plants in the most extreme parts of the planet. This bacteria could help fight famine and improve the environment in many countries.
After this breakthrough achieved by joint work of a private laboratory and the Argentine Antarctic Institute, the Government of Argentina has noted that Argentine now has strengthened the claims to their own territory in Antarctica.
It is worth to mention that officially Antarctica belongs to nobody. Its status was determined by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. Though, Argentine, Australia, United Kingdom, Chile, France, New Zealand and Norway managed to file their claim before 1959 whereas Russia and USA reserved their right to do so.
