Extremophiles and their products have been a major focus of research interest for over 40 years. Through this period, studies of these organisms have contributed hugely to many aspects of the fundamental and applied sciences, and to wider and more philosophical issues such as the origins of life and astrobiology. Our understanding of the cellular adaptations to extreme conditions (such as acid, temperature, pressure and more),...

Summary Viruses represent a driving force in the evolution of microorganisms including those thriving in extreme environments. However, our knowledge of the viral diversity associated to microorganisms inhabiting the deep‐sea hydrothermal vents remains limited. The phylum of Thermotogae , including thermophilic bacteria, is well represented in this environment. Only one virus was described in this phylum, MPV1 carried by Marin...

Summary The present study provides a deeper view of protein functionality as a function of temperature, salt and pressure in deep‐sea habitats. A set of eight different enzymes from five distinct deep‐sea (3040–4908 m depth), moderately warm (14.0–16.5°C) biotopes, characterized by a wide range of salinities (39–348 practical salinity units), were investigated for this purpose. An enzyme from a ‘superficial’ marine hydrotherma...

Summary The gill chamber of deep‐sea hydrothermal vent shrimp R imicaris exoculata hosts a dense community of epibiotic bacteria dominated by filamentous E psilonproteobacteria and G ammaproteobacteria . Using metagenomics on shrimp from the R ainbow hydrothermal vent field, we showed that both epibiont groups have the potential to grow autotrophically and oxidize reduced sulfur compounds or hydrogen with oxygen or nitrate. Fo...