Salt-Loving Microbes Swap DNA To Beat Antarctica's Harsh Environment

Appropriately named Deep Lake, Antarctica's saltiest lake is home to single-celled organisms called haloarchaea, which thrive in salty environments. Unlike algae or bacteria, these tiny creatures can withstand the most extreme conditions. A new study has found that these microbes living in Deep lake swap DNA as a means to survive their harsh environment. This DNA exchange makes it possible for these organisms to co-exist and evolve, exploiting different niches and consuming different food sources.