Relict microorganisms of cryolithozone as possible objects of gerontology

Permafrost is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and arrives after hundreds of thousands and millions of years. Permafrost contains live microorganisms, which are not frozen due to the relatively high ambient temperatures (from −2 to −8°C) but are immobilized; thus, their age seems to be close to the age of the permafrost. The longevity of relict microbial cells is obviously related to their mechanism of protection against heat, radiation, free radicals, and other damaging agents. A strain of Bacillus sp. was isolated from the permafrost aged about 3 million years and its 16S rDNA sequence was identified, followed by preliminary testing of the bacterial culture in Drosophila melanogaster and mice. The experiments showed immune stimulation and improvement of the physical condition. This fact, together with the age of microbial cells, suggests the consideration of relict microorganisms as objects of gerontology.