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his story behind the 1966 discovery of Thermus aquaticus (Taq). This was the first life-form detected growing above the known upper temperature limit for life, then believed to be 720 C (1620 F) . A heat-stable enzyme from this organism, Ta q DNA polymerase, was essential in es- Codiscoverer of the polymerase tablishing the polymerase chain reaction chain reaction that is essential (PCR) process. This DNA amplification to forensic analysis and technique revolutionized DNA science detection of DNA based and earned its inventor, Kary B. Mullis, a diseases, David Gelfand Nobel prize in 1993. The gene express- collects hot water organisms from a Lower Geyser Basin hot ing Ta q polymerase was removed from spring. Researchers discovered specimen YT1-25104 (Yellowstone Type Thermus aquaticus here in 1, deposited in the American Type Cul- 1966, giving science and ture Collection as sample 25104) and in- industry the source for the serted into (“microbial livestock”) revolutionary DNA amplification E. coli technique and riches, topics of producing a genetically engineered organ- debate at the Yellowstone ism called pLSG1. Polymerase chain re- conference. action made possible a quantum leap in the DNA diagnostics industry including forensic analysis and detection of any type BIODIVERSITY, ECOLOGY, AND EVOLUTION of DNA based disease; it grosses $200 mil- lion per year for the patent holder, OF HOT WATER ORGANISMS IN Hoffmann-LaRoche, a Swiss pharmaceu- ELLOWSTONE ATIONAL ARK tical company. According to David Y N P : Gelfand (see photo this page), codiscov- erer of PCR, in his presentation on DNA Symposium and Issues Overview polymerase, “PCR generated revolutions within the revolution” in molecular biol- ogy by providing new tools in amplifying
BY BOB LINDSTROM teric research field went a long way to- DNA. O.J. Simpson’s PCR evidence, and ward elevating the profile of this impor- Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park scenario HE GREATEST CONCEN- tant Yellowstone natural resource. are spin-offs of how PCR could be used tration of experts in the field of The 4-day conference delved into the to make millions of copies of DNA. Medi- T Yellowstone microbiology held a state of the art of research into Yellow- cal technology is perhaps the greatest highly successful 4-day symposium at Old stone microbial resources, the colorful beneficiary of PCR. For example, Ampli- Faithful, September 17-20, 1995. Orga- prokaryotic inhabitants of the Yellowstone fication of the Human Immunodeficiency nized by the Yellowstone Center for Re- geothermal ecosystem. Attended by 110 Virus (HIV) DNA provides the only reli- sources and aquanaut-microbiologist scientists from around the world, the con- able early detection of AIDS. Polymerase Anna-Louise Reysenbach of Rutgers Uni- ference brought together micro- and chain reaction allows scientists to create versity, the symposium aimed at increas- molecular biologists whose primary focus any quantity of any type of DNA at will, ing communication and establishing is thermophilic (heat loving) microorgan- opening up to humankind what until now contacts among the academic, biotech- isms and their heat-stable enzymes, the has been the elusive domain of fundamen- nology, and resource management com- protein macromolecules that make up the tal natural processes. munities. Three government agencies building blocks of life. A conference pub- Biological diversity represented in the (NASA, National Science Foundation, and lication, being prepared by the American Yellowstone thermophiles is of special the Department of Energy) and 17 biotech Society of Microbiology, will serve as a interest to biotechnology companies. companies, all interested in advancing milestone, updating modern thermophilic Since microbes can perform most bio- knowledge and generating research into research and synthesizing NPS manage- chemical reactions known, their enzymes the fascinating world of life at high tem- ment options towards commercial devel- are used in manufacturing chemicals, an- peratures, funded the symposium. The opment of research specimens. tibiotics, plastics, detergents, and fermen- synergy, communication, and contacts The keynote address by Dr. Thomas tation products. The recent development fostered amongst scientists, biotech com- Brock, an introduction to modern Yellow- of heat-stable enzymes is increasingly panies, and resource managers in this eso- stone microbiological research, included important to such companies as Lily,
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Exxon, E.I. DuPont, Roche Molecular Old Faithful Protection Act, which would During his presentation, ”The Biologi- Systems, and the dozen others with rep- prohibit geothermal drilling activities cal Wealth of Nations,” Dr. Lovejoy also resentatives attending the conference. within 15 miles of the park boundary. introduced the concept of INBio, the Thermostable enzymes lend themselves A full day of presentations and round Costa Rican quasi-government organiza- to vast industrial processes and are less table discussions centered on the manage- tion that funds biodiversity preservation susceptible to denaturation than their ment of publicly owned resources and through private sector cooperative agree- mesophilic (body temperature) counter- included active audience participation. ments. In exchange for access to Costa parts. The National Park Service does not en- Rican National Park genetic resources A good example of what national parks courage commercial development of (and excellent public relations), compa- contribute to society is habitat protection natural resources within its jurisdiction. nies such as Merck Pharmaceutical and and resulting preservation of biological If, however, during the course of investi- Bristol-Meyers invest large sums on rain diversity. In the case of thermophiles, con- gation, researchers make a commercially forest preservation. Although distinct, servation has yielded great utilitarian value significant discovery, a means of sanction- INBio has evolved a biodevelopment in the enzymatic diversity that has been ing that discovery is now available track record Yellowstone could draw upon preserved, inadvertently, along with the through their research permit agreement in respect to thermophiles. Indeed, Ana geological curiosities and wonders for with the superintendent and according to Sittenfeld, Director of Biodiversity Pros- which the park was established in 1872. ongoing revisions in the Code of Federal pecting at INBio, gave a presentation on The Yellowstone geothermal ecosystem Regulations. Intellectual property rights, this issue and offered to share their expe- consists of the world’s greatest concen- patenting organisms, their products, and rience, a wealth of details, on how to tration of thermophilic biodiversity in its genes, trade secrets, and material transfer manage microbial resources in Yellow- 10,000 thermal features, and the compa- agreements are all issues related to re- stone. In a presentation on high-tech nies want to contribute to the preserva- search specimens that participants also molecular approaches to assessing tion of this unique biosphere reserve. They addressed in their presentations and dis- biodiversity, Eric Mathur, Director of discussed voluntary contributions, royal- cussions. The symposium failed to reach Recombinant BioCatalysis, Inc., of La ties, foundations, and user fees as means consensus on royalties from profitable dis- Jolla, California, linked resource preser- by which companies could financially coveries but did initiate a workshop en- vation to private industry in these days of support National Park Service resource titled “Conservation and sustainable use public fiscal austerity by saying that “if management efforts. Such funding could of thermophilic microbial biodiversity at industry does not support preservation of sponsor public and legislator education Yellowstone National Park: consensus biodiversity, it probably won’t happen.” (through interpretive presentations) as to building initiative” being conducted at the Natural history presentations of ther- the value of maintaining biological diver- National Biodiversity Institute (Instituto mophiles included an outline by Dave
Nacional Biodiversidad or INBio) Ward of Montana State University on P
HOTO of Costa Rica, January 20-27, 1996. microbial ecology and the impacts of in-
Thomas Lovejoy, science advi- creasing numbers of researchers on bac- COURTESY sor to the Secretary of the Inte- terial mats. Since the small samples (a
rior, spoke of Yellowstone few milliliters) needed to start tissue cul-
OF
S thermophiles as “environmental ture collections are usually gathered with UE
B extremists.” Living in the extremes tweezers, and since the high growth rates
ARNS of temperature and pH, thermo- of thermophiles revegetate disturbances , U
NIVERSITY philes clearly point out the impor- quickly, no long-term harm to the re-
tance of preserving biological source is apparent. Human impacts are
OF diversity. He spoke of the biotech- monitored closely by resource managers I
NDIANA nology age (the interface of tech- who emphasized that the research com- nology and biodiversity) where, munity must police itself with respect to through use of modern research, minimal sampling and minimal impact to tremendous wealth is generated, the system. Research permits are granted Scanning electron micrograph of archaebacteria, the exemplifying the utilitarian value on a yearly basis on the premise that “no most primitive life-form yet discovered, collected of species preservation. He implied harm” to the resource will result from the from a Hayden Valley hot spring. that in this era of hyperextinction, research. if we cannot preserve biodiversity Other presentations included newly dis- sity. Biotech companies could also sup- for the obvious ethical reasons, then we covered species by Jurgen Wiegel and port political activism in lobbying for pas- should preserve it for the potential un- Beverly Pierson. Their work is being in- sage of conservation efforts such as the known benefits to humankind, such as the cluded in the NPS database known as the polymerase chain reaction.
Continued in column 3 on page 19
W INTER 1996 • 131313 MAB e-mail group continued Partners in Flight continued Yellowstone thermophiles continued sustainability; developing proposals that Wildlife.” The funding initiative promotes thermophilic microorganism survey, a support cooperation, innovation in conser- an “outdoor enthusiasts” user fee on a baseline inventory of these species which vation, ecosystem management, and use; range of outdoor equipment (such as is being established on the World Wide submitting proposals for new biosphere backpacks, tents, mountain bikes, recre- Web. Other topics included physiology, reserves and additions to existing biosphere ational vehicles, photographic equipment, distribution, evolution and techniques used reserve and regional MAB cooperatives; bird seed, and field guides). It aims to raise to study these enigmatic creatures, most of and (3) announcements of conferences and $350 million annually to fund “wildlife which cannot be grown in tissue culture. upcoming meetings. diversity programs.” The proposed fee is The symposium generated suggestions To subscribe to the USMAB e-mail dis- similar to the fees that hunters and an- on how we might proceed with the Yel- cussion group, send an e-mail message to glers have been paying for more than 50 lowstone microbiology program. They the address: “[email protected]”. In the years to support game and sport fish con- included the establishment of an indepen- body of the message (you can leave the servation programs. The funds would be dent blue-ribbon panel of senior scientists subject line blank as it will be ignored by allocated to states using a formula similar connected via an Internet list server. Rep- the computer) type: to that used to distribute Dingell-Johnson, resenting the three constituencies of “subscribe usmab_program
Mike Britten is a Wildlife Biologist with the NPS Colorado Plateau System Support Bob Lindstrom is Management Assistant Office in Denver, Colorado. His phone with the Yellowstone Center for Resources. number is (303) 969-6705. His phone number is (307) 344-2234.
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