Living microbes discovered in the driest desert on Earth

Researchers have uncovered a thriving community of microorganisms in the Atacama Desert, known as the driest place on Earth, said an article by Earth.com yesterday.

Traditionally viewed as lifeless, this arid region in Chile is home to resilient microbes that survive in extreme conditions.

A recent study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology introduces a novel technique developed by an international team led by Dr. Dirk Wagner. This method effectively separates extracellular DNA (eDNA) from intracellular DNA (iDNA), allowing scientists to focus on living microorganisms in low-biomass environments.

Soil samples from the desert revealed a variety of active microbes, which Dr. Wagner describes as pioneers in colonizing harsh terrains. The implications of this research extend to astrobiology, suggesting that similar techniques could help identify signs of life on Mars.