Matís has found a previously unknown thermal bacterium, which seems to be bound to Iceland. The species was found in a high proportion in hot springs in the Torfajökull area and has now been successfully cultivated.
Matís has found a previously unknown thermal bacterium, which seems to be bound to Iceland. The species was found in a high proportion in hot springs in the Torfajökull area and has now been successfully cultivated.
Various studies have been carried out on thermal bacteria by Prokaria, Matís' biotechnology department. Modern methods allow scientists to detect species composition without culturing the bacteria. A previously unknown Thermus species, which appears to be confined to Iceland, was found using such methods. The species was found in a high proportion in hot springs in the Torfajökull area, but had previously been found in hot springs in the Hengill area.
Subsequently, interest arose in trying to isolate and cultivate this special Icelandic Thermus brand. Grants were received from the Research Fund and the National Energy Authority, and samples were taken from hot springs in the Torfajökull area in late summer and it was confirmed that Thermus islandicus was found there. Cultivation experiments on different foods, at different temperatures, acidity and oxygen concentrations have now finally yielded results in a viable strain which is now being studied further. Snædís Huld Björnsdóttir, an employee of Matís, has worked on this project, while Sólveig Pétursdóttir is the project manager.
Various Thermus species have produced valuable DNA enzymes that are used in research around the world. These include the enzyme DNA polymerase, which is used to amplify DNA to obtain multiple copies of a particular gene or fragment and a DNA ligase from the Thermus virus that glues DNA fragments. It is therefore not unlikely that the new species contains interesting enzymes.