Archaea Genomes - NANOARCHAEUM EQUITANS

Nanoarchaeum equitans, meaning "riding the fire sphere" is an extremophile, an organism that thrives in extreme environments, such as toxic waste dumps and hot springs with an optimum temperature of around 212F (100C), ie water boiing point. The sequenced genome of Strain Kin4-M was found in hot-water geysers on the ocean floor near Iceland.

It has also been discovered that Nanoarchaeum equitans lives in co-culture with the microbe Ignicoccus, it is parasitic and entirely dependent on its host for survival.

Once this genome had been sequenced it was discovered that is has one of the smallest genomes of any sequenced microbe, (490,885 base pairs) and also one of the most compact, with 95% of the DNA predicted to encode proteins or stable RNAs. It measures only 400 nanometers in diameter.

The microbe's small genome and small number of genes could make it easier to genetically engineer which will help for future research into industrial chemicals that work in extreme environments, such as enzymes that break down harmful substances in oil wells.