Nesterenkonia sp. AN1 Genome sequencing and assembly. Nesterenkonia sp. AN1

Nesterenkonia sp. AN1 was isolated from Antarctic soil and represents a poly-extremophile, being tolerant to extremely cold temperatures, high salt concentrations and high alkalinity. The intended goal of the study is to compare the genome of Nesterenkonia sp. AN1 to those of other sequenced representatives of the genus. By this means we wish to elucidate how this strain is able to survive under the harsh conditions presented by the low temperatures, high salinity, low water content, high UV irradiation of the Antarctic soil. The data from the comparative genomic analyses will then applied to identify novel molecular mechanisms for survival, which could potentially be utilized to identify novel cold-adapted enzymes.