Life is hiding even in the ice of Antarctica – and perhaps future medicines are too: Interview with Stanislava Bezdíček Králová

How did you first get involved in researching Antarctic bacteria?

I got involved in researching Antarctic bacteria while working on my thesis at the Czech Collection of Microorganisms at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University. This collection has long been dedicated to the cultivation of Antarctic microorganisms. And even though my thesis itself was not focused on Antarctica, the direction of my doctorate was a clear choice. I was fascinated by the idea that even in such an extreme environment, where almost nothing else lives, microorganisms with completely unique abilities could exist. At the same time, I was surprised by how incredibly diverse these bacteria are – genetically, physiologically, and chemically. Even from a small amount of Antarctic soil, we are able to isolate dozens of completely different strains of often undescribed bacterial species, each with its own "chemical signature." For biologists and chemists, this is essentially an inexhaustible source of new and unknown natural substances.

Can you explain to us what "extremophile" means, and why are they so interesting to scientists?

Extremophiles are organisms that can survive and thrive in conditions that most other forms of life would not survive – for example, at very low or high temperatures, extreme pressure, salinity, or in highly acidic environments. These abilities are often conditioned by unique biochemical mechanisms and the production of substances that are not found in organisms living in normal conditions. For scientists, they represent "living laboratories of evolution" – they show how far life can really go and at the same time offer inspiration for the development of new biotechnologies, enzymes, and potential drugs.

What is the most surprising thing you have discovered about these microorganisms so far?

There are many surprises. The first is the incredible ability of microorganisms to adapt to extreme conditions and thus "occupy" environments that seem completely inhospitable. This ability to survive in such harsh conditions is linked to a whole range of fascinating adaptations – from modifications of enzymes and cell walls to the production of completely new chemicals.

Another surprise is their enormous genetic diversity. It is fascinating how genetically different isolates that appear very similar at first glance can be. In their genomes, we often find complete biosynthetic pathways for substances that no one has observed before. Some of these pathways suggest that these bacteria can produce, for example, completely new peptides with unusual chemical modifications – and these can have very interesting biological activity.

Can bacteria from such remote and harsh places actually help us treat diseases?

Yes, definitely. Microorganisms from extreme environments have had to learn to survive in conditions where other organisms fail – and that is what makes them exceptional producers of new bioactive substances. These molecules can have antibacterial, antiviral, or cytotoxic effects and become the basis for the development of new drugs. For example, our data shows substances related to anticancer therapeutics and antifungal drugs, which are still in short supply. My ambition is to expand the use of bioactive substances from Antarctic bacteria beyond medicine, for example in agriculture or biotechnology.

What does your typical workday look like in this research work – do you spend more time in the lab or in the field?

I would like to say that I spend more time in the field or in the lab, but the reality is that a large part of my work today is computational. In simple terms, our work can be summarized as follows: identify bacteria, analyze their genome, describe biosynthetic pathways, and select those with the greatest potential to produce new substances.

Then we return to the lab and try to literally "convince" our Antarctic isolates to actually produce these substances under laboratory conditions – and that's usually the hardest part. Field expeditions to Antarctica are extremely valuable for our research because they allow us to obtain new samples and observe microorganisms in their natural environment. Unfortunately, however, they are heavily dependent on financial and logistical support, so we cannot afford as many as we would like. This makes us appreciate all the more the cooperation with teams with whom we can cooperate on sampling or carrying out experiments directly in the field – such partnerships are of enormous value to our research.

On the other hand, our goal is not only to search for new drugs. Thanks to Masaryk University's long-term Antarctic research programme, we have a unique opportunity to study the very principles of microbial life in extreme conditions. For example, I am interested in how bacteria change their biochemical behavior under long-term stress, how these processes occur at the level of DNA, enzymes, and biosynthetic pathways, and how this is reflected in their chemistry. These questions are as fascinating to us as the biomedical potential of these microorganisms themselves.

Why is it important to look for new drugs in nature, rather than just developing them synthetically?

Nature has a huge advantage in this regard – for billions of years, evolution has been "testing" chemical structures that exhibit high selectivity and biological activity. Synthetic chemistry is an invaluable tool, but it often only imitates or modifies what nature has long since invented. The discovery of new natural molecules opens the door to inspiration for completely new types of drugs. Just look at the available data – it clearly shows that we have only discovered a fraction of the chemical diversity that microorganisms actually produce.

What are your hobbies? How do you relax with such a demanding profession?

I like spending time in nature and sports – I go hiking, I love the mountains, where I can always clear my head completely. I do fitness training and love power yoga. Gardening is also very relaxing for me. I also like to travel and discover new places – probably because after days spent in the lab, I need a total change of scenery. When I have free time, I like to read or bake – which is actually a bit like experimenting, but with more immediate results.

Thank you and we wish you every success in your personal and professional life!