Researchers from our top-rated Biosciences and Chemistry Departments are leading an international effort to turn discoveries from some of the harshest places on Earth into practical tools for healthcare.
By studying viruses found in volcanic lakes and deep-sea vents, the team has identified new DNA-binding proteins that could make rapid disease tests faster and more reliable.
Discoveries from extreme environments
Nature is the largest source of enzymes used in medicine and biotechnology, yet many remain undiscovered.
In this study, our leading scientists working with colleagues in Iceland, Norway and Poland, analysed genetic material collected from Icelandic volcanic lakes and from deep-sea vents more than two kilometres below the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Using next-generation DNA sequencing, the team searched vast databases containing millions of potential proteins. This approach allowed them to identify previously unknown proteins that bind to single-stranded DNA.
These proteins come from viruses that survive in extreme heat or cold, meaning they have naturally evolved to be very robust.
Laboratory tests showed that the newly discovered proteins remain stable under harsh conditions, including high temperatures, high salt levels and a wide range of acidity. This kind of stability is especially important for enzymes used outside controlled laboratory environments.
Improving diagnostic tests
One of the new DNA-binding proteins was tested in a medical diagnostic method known as loop-mediated isothermal amplification, or LAMP.
LAMP tests can detect genetic material from viruses, bacteria or parasites quickly and without the need for expensive equipment.
When the new protein was added to the test, it improved performance by making results faster and more sensitive.
This means smaller amounts of genetic material could be detected more quickly. Such improvements could be valuable for diagnosing viral infections like COVID-19, as well as bacterial and parasitic diseases.
Next steps
The findings show the real value of exploring extreme environments in the search for useful biological tools.
Biotechnology companies are constantly looking for enzymes that can cope with challenging conditions, and proteins from these environments are strong candidates.
The research team is already continuing the search for more DNA-binding proteins, with new examples currently being studied and improved through protein design.
They are also developing better LAMP tests for neglected tropical diseases such as leishmaniasis and Chagas disease, working with colleagues in our Biosciences Department.
In partnership with the Norwegian biotechnology company ArcticZymes, the team is exploring how these discoveries could be turned into commercial products.
