A Pigment’s Defense: Exploring the Link Between Carotenoids and UV Tolerance in Halophilic Archaea
Author: Huong Thi Minh Do
Faculty Supervisor: José R. de la Torre
Department: Biology
This research project investigates the effect of carotenoid in halophilic archaea and their role on photoprotection. Halophilic archaea thrive in environments with extremely high salt concentrations, a condition that poses significant challenges to cell survival. One of these adaptations includes the production of carotenoid pigments, which serve various functions such as protecting cells from damage caused by high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and oxidative stress. The precise relationship between carotenoid concentration and the degree of UV protection in halophilic archaea is not fully understood. However, some archaea species have an abundance concentration of carotenoids which may suggest a potential role in adaptation to these harsh environments. This research hypothesizes that higher carotenoid concentrations in halophilic archaea will be associated with increased protection against UV damage. The research will involve looking for genes related to the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway, comparing the presence and abundance of carotenoid biosynthesis genes across different halophilic archaeal species known to exhibit varying UV tolerance. The NCBI, IMG, BLAST, and literature articles can be used as resources for this research as well as organizing and presenting data. This research is expected to reveal a potential correlation between carotenoid concentration and UV protection in halophilic archaea.