Extremophiles are those that ‘love the extreme’. However, while humans may think they hold the record for being radical, innovative, creative, living life on the edge of adventure, extreme sports, and exotic locations, we are being outnumbered and outcompeted by bacteria. In his TEDx presentation, Dr. John Kyndt takes us to meet the Extremophiles (including his favorites) and a new bacterial family his lab recently discovered, the Halorhodospiraceae. Bacteria are everywhere, and can thrive in the most extreme places. In fact, they have adapted to living life right on the edge of the world, on the edge that you cannot even imagine, not beyond your wildest dreams. While we give nothing to them, you may be surprised to find that the innovations made by bacteria to survive extreme radiation, salt, heat, are in their DNA, and we can and have learned from them. Next time you look up at the night sky, remember, the stars are but a drop in the ocean compared to bacteria, including those Extremophiles hanging out on the edge and ‘loving the extreme’. Here is the link to the talk:

Dr. John Kyndt is a Professor of Microbiology and Sustainability at Bellevue University. His specialties are in microbial genomics, metabolomics and bacterial photosynthesis. His research is focused on the genomics and biochemistry of bacteria and viruses from extreme environments, to better understand life’s adaptations to extreme conditions. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx