The development of new sequencing technologies has permitted a greatly increased understanding of the complexity of microbial diversity as well as their functional role. In extreme environments microorganisms exhibit unusual properties and adaptations that have great value and potential for biotechnological applications. To fully utilize this potential, it is crucial to understand how the ecosystem functions in order to predict and design new applications. In Chile there are many environments that exhibit extreme conditions that represent a source of new microorganisms and bioactive compounds. We are using multiple approaches to supply the pipeline of discovery of new drugs, including metagenomic analyses to describe the potential for bioactive compound production from these specific environments and the subsequent culturing of rare and useful microorganisms. As a result of this work we have created an Atacama Desert Data Base which includes all microorganisms of this habitat.

We have a collaboration with CONAF (National Forest Corporation) at Los Flamencos National Reserve in a project to characterize the microbiology of the fragile aquatic ecosystems of this national reserve. We are characterizing and analyzing the microbial diversity of three almost unexplored salares: Salar de Tara, Salar de Pujsa and Laguna Helada. Also we are finding new CRISPR-Cas systems in extreme environments; we are analyzing the genomes of 25 isolated bacteria from different extreme aquatic ecosystems of northern Chile in order to detect CRISPR-Cas. Also, the Biochemistry Group, Universidad de Antofagasta, has maintained its focus on the isolation and biochemical characterization of microorganisms and biomolecules and evaluation of plant extracts with anticorrosion activity. 

We are actively involved in seaweed cultivation, productivity, genetics and economic assessment of seaweed farming. Based on spatial genetic and morphological variation of natural populations of the kelp Macrocystis pyrifera, we have evaluated the potential of the species for modifying some agronomic traits through controlled breeding in the context of a strain selection programme. An algal biorefinery has been developed to produce pigments and hydrophobins as well as antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds through a green process. Also the seaweed fraction that remains after alginate extraction has been used to produce carotenoids and the conditions for production of long chain omega-3 fatty acids has been determined.