Hyperthermophile
Hipertermófilo
- Date
- 1966 · confidence medium
- Place
- Yellowstone National Park, United States
- Credited to
- Thomas D. Brock
- Field
- Life & health
What was discovered
An organism that thrives in extremely hot environments, above 60 °C; Thomas Brock characterized them in the Yellowstone hot springs, expanding the known limits of life.
Most known hyperthermophiles belong to the domain Archaea.
What it led to
- Discovery of Thermus aquaticus and Taq polymerase (the basis of PCR)
- Search for extremophile life as a model for extraterrestrial life