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Special series on Antarctic Research

Antarctic​​​​​​​This special issue on Antarctic research in Biological Research comprises of recent studies, related to the discovery of several new enzymes and biotechnological applications. The desiccation resistance of an Antarctic moss Sanionia uncinata and antioxidant responses of Colobantus quitensis, one of the two vascular plants that exist in Antarctica, are presented. There is also research on heat shock protein 70 from a sea urchin, studies on the high levels of UV-B radiation in Antarctica, studies on the accumulation of UV B absorbing compounds in Antarctic bryophytes and a bryological study of site ASPA 125 in King George Island. These scientific contributions allow to expand the knowledge of Antarctic organisms and their potential applications. 

Guest edited by Gustavo E. Zuñiga. 

  1. One of the most extreme environments on our planet is the Maritime Antarctic territory, due to its low-water availability, which restricts the development of plants. Sanionia uncinata Hedw. (Amblystegiaceae), the...

    Authors: Marisol Pizarro, Rodrigo A. Contreras, Hans Köhler and Gustavo E. Zúñiga
    Citation: Biological Research 2019 52:46
    Content type: Research article Published on:

  2. A moderately thermophilic, slightly halophilic, aerobic, Gram-stain negative, bacterial strain, SLM16, was isolated from a mixed of seawater–sand-sediment sample collected from a coastal fumarole located in Wh...

    Authors: Sebastián L. Márquez and Jenny M. Blamey
    Citation: Biological Research 2019 52:5
    Content type: Research article Published on:

  3. The Antarctic continent is a source of extreme microorganisms. Millions of years of isolation have produced unique biodiversity with adaptive responses to its extreme environment. Although the Antarctic climat...

    Authors: Patricio A. M. Flores, Daniela N. Correa-Llantén and Jenny M. Blamey
    Citation: Biological Research 2018 51:55
    Content type: Research article Published on:

  4. Antarctic bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) are resilient to physiologically extreme environmental conditions including elevated levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation due to depletion of stratospheric ozone. M...

    Authors: Melinda J. Waterman, Jessica Bramley-Alves, Rebecca E. Miller, Paul A. Keller and Sharon A. Robinson
    Citation: Biological Research 2018 51:49
    Content type: Research article Published on:

  5. In field, C. quitensis is subjected to many abiotic extreme environmental conditions, such as low temperatures, high UV-B, salinity and reduced water potentials, but not metal or metalloid high concentrations in ...

    Authors: Rodrigo A. Contreras, Marisol Pizarro, Hans Köhler, Claudio A. Sáez and Gustavo E. Zúñiga
    Citation: Biological Research 2018 51:48
    Content type: Research Article Published on:

  7. With 29 Km2, the Fildes Peninsula is the largest ice free area in King George Island and probably in Antarctica. The region is house of six permanent bases including the only airport in the South Shetlands, which...

    Authors: Diego Knop Henriques, Bárbara Guedes Costa Silva, Gustavo Emílio Zuñiga and Paulo Eduardo Aguiar Saraiva Câmara
    Citation: Biological Research 2018 51:29
    Content type: Research article Published on:

  8. Pectinase enzymes catalyze the breakdown of pectin, a key component of the plant cell wall. At industrial level, pectinases are used in diverse applications, especially in food-processing industry. Currently, ...

    Authors: Gabriela Poveda, Carlos Gil-Durán, Inmaculada Vaca, Gloria Levicán and Renato Chávez
    Citation: Biological Research 2018 51:28
    Content type: Research article Published on:

  9. Heat stress proteins are implicated in stabilizing and refolding denatured proteins in vertebrates and invertebrates. Members of the Hsp70 gene family comprise the cognate heat shock protein (Hsc70) and induci...

    Authors: Marcelo González-Aravena, Camila Calfio, Luis Mercado, Byron Morales-Lange, Jorn Bethke, Julien De Lorgeril and César A. Cárdenas
    Citation: Biological Research 2018 51:8
    Content type: Research article Published on: