Cold Arid Microbiomes: An Insight into Biodiversity, Adaptation Strategies, and Potential Applications

Tanvir Kaur; Mayank  Bhushan; Divjot  Kour

doi:10.56093/aaz.v65i2.175655

Authors

Tanvir Kaur Department of Biosciences, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248 002, India
Mayank Bhushan Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248 002, India
Divjot Kour University Centre for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali 140 413, India

https://doi.org/10.56093/aaz.v65i2.175655

Keywords:

Cold-arid deserts, microbial diversity, adaptation strategies, biotechnological significance, ecological resilience

Abstract

Cold-arid deserts, among the most extreme ecosystems on Earth, are characterized by persistently low moisture availability and extremely low temperatures. Despite the extreme harsh conditions, this particular terrestrial ecosystem harbors, highly specialized microbial species of bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses. The microbial community thriving in the extreme cold and driest habitat plays a pivotal role in the functioning of ecosystem by maintaining the biogeochemical cycles. The microbial diversity in cold-arid deserts have ability to withstand the freezing and desiccation stress through multiple adaptative strategies which includes production of anti-freeze proteins, enzymes and other biomolecules. The cold-arid microbiomes have wide range of biotechnological application in agriculture, environment and industrial sector, in which they can be used for the alleviation of plants stresses (nutrients, biotic and abiotic stress), bioremediation of various pollutants, and production of industrial products used in food processing, textile and pharmaceutical industries. The study of microbial diversity in freezing and desiccation stress is an important aspect which could be done through culture-dependent, culture-independent and omics techniques. This review highlights the, biodiversity of cold-arid microbiomes along with their adaptation strategies, and techniques and methods to study microbial diversity and emerging ecological and biotechnological applications.

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Author Biographies

Tanvir Kaur, Department of Biosciences, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248 002, India

Tanvir Kaur, Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh and listed among World’s Top 2% Scientists is Assistant Professor at Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun. Her research includes diversity and bioformulations of Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms applicable to hilly regions. She has 107 publications to her credit (h-index 37, i10-index 67, citations 4768) and serves as reviewer of more than 20 peer-reviewed journals
Mayank Bhushan, Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248 002, India

Mayank Bhushan, M.Tech and Ph.D. in Nanoscience and Technology from Pondicherry University, Puducherry, is working as Associate Professor at Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun. Before joining GEU, he served Department of Nanotechnology, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong; SIMATS, Saveetha University, Chennai; and Department of Biotechnology, NIAMST, NIMS University, Jaipur. His teaching and research areas include phytochemicals, nanomedicine, biomaterials, sensors, and environmental nanotechnology.
Divjot Kour, University Centre for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali 140 413, India

Divjot Kour, listed among World’s Top 2% Scientists, has obtained PhD in “Microbial Biotechnology” Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh. She has published more than 180 research/review/book chapters with h-index 55, i10-index 123 and citations 10409. Dr Kour is editor for 04 Springer-Nature books. She is awardee of “Arab Society for Fungal Conservation Award-2021” and “Society for Plant Research, India”.

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