Genomics of extreme environments: unveiling the secrets of survival

Abstract

Life on Earth has displayed remarkable adaptability to the harshest environments, spanning polar regions, scorching deserts, abyssal oceans, lightless caves, noxious lakes, boiling hot springs, and nuclear waste sites. These resilient organisms, known as extremophiles or polyextremophiles, owe their survival due to their unique genetic adaptations. This collection, titled ‘Genomics of Extreme Environments’, comprises several articles published in the esteemed journal Scientific Reports. Each article within this collection investigated genetic signature and adaptation in different extreme environments, including the cold polar region, arid desert, oxygen-deprived Tibetan mountains and others. These studies provide invaluable understanding of how life thrives and evolves under extreme conditions, shedding light on genetic mechanisms and adaptation strategies.