Biopolymers from the Deep Biosphere
CNAM-Bio researchers isolate extremophilic microbes from the deepest mines (7,800 ft deep) in the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). The rich biodiversity of microbes found in this high temperature environment permits the development of innovative extremophilic bioprocesses, including efficient microbial utilization of biomass and methane, and high yield extraction of biodegradabe polymers, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and exopolysaccharides (EPS), wihich exhibit an exceptional range of commercailly valuable properties.