Sulfolobus islandicus holds clues to evolution

Microbiology professor Rachel Whitaker has released a study of Sulfolobus islandicus, a microbe that lives holds clues to evolution.

Sulfolobus islandicus, a microbe that can live in boiling acid, is offering up its secrets to researchers hardy enough to capture it from the volcanic hot springs where it thrives. In a new study, which has received international attention, a team of researchers led by Microbiology Professor report that populations of S. islandicus are more diverse than previously thought, and that their diversity is driven largely by geographic isolation.