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Colwellia Psychrerythraea
C. psychrerythraea is a gram negative psychrophilic microorganism discovered in 1972 by J.Y. D’Aoust and D.J. Kushner. While it can exist in both Arctic and Antarctic sea environments, explaining its ability to withstand pressure, it was actually discovered in the former. These motile microbes are deeply adaptable to harsh conditions; while their minimum growth temperature is -1 degree centigrade, they can swim in temperatures down to -10. The microbe's ability to move in cold temperatures hints at a greater prevalence of life in frozen environments that was previously imagined. Until C. psychrerythraea, -5 was considered the lowest possible temperature for motility (Junge, 2003). The maximum growth temperature for this is 10, while 8 is their ideal- demonstrating their resilience to these cold conditions. Cold is fundamental to this microbe’s identity, even in name. While Colwellia comes from University of Maryland scientist Rita Colwell, psychrerythraea is derived from the Greek psuchros, meaning cold, and erythraeus, meaning reddish- in reference to the microbe’s color.

Secretions
The microbe progresses great potential for benefit, particularly concerning its secretions. Due to its production of PHAs, it is a commercially relevant microbe, of interest in producing biodegradable plastics (Numata, 2013). Extreme environments do not hinder, but in fact, encourage its secretions, particularly in the production of EPS (Marx, 2009). Members of its Colwellia family were also integral in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon spill due to their ability to actually degrade oil (Baelum, 2012).

Genome
It is 5,373,180 nucleotides in length, with 4,910 protein genes, 117 RNA genes, and a 37.9% G+C content. Its genome has special functions that allow it to survive cold and pressure. Genome analysis has revealed five unique cold-shock proteins. Its enzymes are also unique; over half of those used in degradation of proteins and peptides are external to the cytoplasm, an exceptionally high figure. This may relate to C. psychrerythraea’s membrane fluidity, necessary for its survival in cold. Genomic evidence suggests that the microbe produces extracellular polymeric substances important for biofilm formation. In addition it can produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (or PHAs) that serve as energy reserves and are linked to pressure adaptation. As the microbe is known to live in high-pressure deep sea environments, this genomic structure is likely necessary for its survival. As it also possesses a genomic role for sulfide metabolism, it seems fair to state that survival is this microbe’s greatest talent (Methé, 2005).