Seven genome sequences of airborne, bacterial isolates from Antarctica

TL;DR

This paper presents genome sequences of seven bacteria found in airborne samples from Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys.

Contribution

The study provides new genome sequences from airborne bacteria in a remote Antarctic environment.

Findings

Seven bacterial genomes were sequenced from aerosols collected in Antarctica's dry valleys.

The findings suggest aeolian transport may seed these ice-covered regions with biological material.

Abstract

Ice-covered and remote landscapes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, are likely seeded by aeolian transport of biological material from ice-free local or distant environments. Here, we report the genome sequences of seven bacteria isolated from aerosols collected on top of two dry valley glaciers.