Halobacterium salinarum

Halobacterium salinarum is an extremophile archaea thriving in hypersaline environments like salt lakes and evaporation ponds. This remarkable microorganism survives salt concentrations that would dehydrate and kill most life forms by maintaining high intracellular potassium levels. Its purple-red color comes from bacteriorhodopsin, a light-sensitive protein allowing it to perform photosynthesis without chlorophyll. H. salinarum can also withstand intense UV radiation by efficiently repairing DNA damage. Studying this hardy organism provides insights into life's potential on other planets while offering biotechnological applications from bioelectronics to industrial enzyme production.