Recovery and Performance of Complex Marine Exopolymers in the Cold

Jody Deming, School of Oceanography, University of Washington

R/B-50

Exopolymers are naturally occurring compounds that, at sub-zero temperatures, function as enzyme stabilizers and protect cells against damage from freezing.  This project will recover exopolymers produced by a marine bacterium in sea ice, using innovative techniques that, unlike previous methods, will not alter the structure or properties of these compounds. If successful, this technological breakthrough will not only advance our understanding of sea-ice communities, but will have considerable potential for applications in the biotech field.