Enterotype-Dependent Probiotic-Mediated Changes in the Male Rat Intestinal Microbiome In Vivo and In Vitro.

Beneficial properties of lactic acid bacteria have been known long ago, but particular interest in probiotics has arisen in the last two decades due to the understanding of the important role of intestinal microflora in human life. Thus, the ability of probiotics to support healthy homeostasis of gut microbiomes has received particular attention. Here, we evaluated the effect of a probiotic consisting of Bifidobacterium longum and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei on the gut microbiome of male rats, assessed their persistence in the fecal biota, and compared probiotic-mediated changes in vitro and in vivo. As expected, microbiomes of two enterotypes were identified in the feces of 21 animals, and it turned out that even a single dose of the probiotic altered the microbial composition. Upon repeated administration, the E1 biota temporarily acquired properties of the E2 type. Being highly sensitive to the intervention of probiotic bacteria at the phylum and genus levels, the fecal microbiomes retained the identity of their enterotypes when transferred to a medium optimized for gut bacteria. For the E2 biota, even similarities between probiotic-mediated reactions in vitro and in vivo were detected. Therefore, fecal-derived microbial communities are proposed as model consortia to optimize the response of resident bacteria to various agents.

Proposed minimal standards for description of methanogenic archaea.

Methanogenic archaea are a diverse, polyphyletic group of strictly anaerobic prokaryotes capable of producing methane as their primary metabolic product. It has been over three decades since minimal standards for their taxonomic description have been proposed. In light of advancements in technology and amendments in systematic microbiology, revision of the older criteria for taxonomic description is essential. Most of the previously recommended minimum standards regarding phenotypic characterization of pure cultures are maintained. Electron microscopy and chemotaxonomic methods like whole-cell protein and lipid analysis are desirable but not required. Because of advancements in DNA sequencing technologies, obtaining a complete or draft whole genome sequence for type strains and its deposition in a public database are now mandatory. Genomic data should be used for rigorous comparison to close relatives using overall genome related indices such as average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene is also required and can be supplemented by phylogenies of the mcrA gene and phylogenomic analysis using multiple conserved, single-copy marker genes. Additionally, it is now established that culture purity is not essential for studying prokaryotes, and description of Candidatus methanogenic taxa using single-cell or metagenomics along with other appropriate criteria is a viable alternative. The revisions to the minimal criteria proposed here by the members of the Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Methanogenic Archaea of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes should allow for rigorous yet practical taxonomic description of these important and diverse microbes.

Diplocloster agilis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Diplocloster modestus sp. nov., two novel anaerobic fermentative members of Lachnospiraceae isolated from human faeces.

Three novel strains of Gram-stain-negative, obligately anaerobic, spore-forming straight or slightly curved rods with pointed ends occurring singly or in pairs were isolated from the faeces of healthy human children. The strains were characterized by mesophilic fermentative metabolism and production of acetate, ethanol and H2 as the end metabolic products. Strains ASD3451 and ASD5720T were motile, fermented lactose and raffinose, and weakly fermented maltose. Strain ASD4241T was non-motile and did not ferment the carbohydrates listed above but fermented starch. Strains ASD3451 and ASD5720T shared average nucleotide identity higher than 98.5 % with each other, while ASD4241T had only 88.5-89 % identity to them. Based on phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analyses, we propose Diplocloster agilis gen. nov., sp. nov. (ASD5720T=JCM 34353T=VKM B-3497T) and Diplocloster modestus sp. nov. (ASD4241T=JCM 34351T=VKM B-3498T) within the family Lachnospiraceae.

Annulation of Perimidines with 5-Alkynylpyrimidines en Route to 7-Formyl-1,3-Diazopyrenes.

Unusual rearrangements were shown to accompany Brønsted acid-assisted peri-annulations of 1H-perimidines with 5-alkynylpyrimidines. These transformations take different routes depending on the nature of acetylene precursor, and lead to the formation of 7-formyl-1,3-diazopyrenes.

Trichococcus shcherbakoviae subsp. psychrophilus subsp. nov., a psychrotolerant facultative anaerobe isolated from a cold spring.

A psychrotolerant facultative anaerobe, strain SKBGT, was isolated from the bottom sediments of the cold mineral spring Buxichen (Buryatia, Russia). Gram-positive non-motile cocci with a diameter of 1.75-2.5 µm were observed singly or in long chains. Cells grew in the temperature range from ̶ 5-35 °C. Growth was observed within the pH range of 7.0-9.5, with the optimum growth at pH 7.6 and at a NaCl concentration from 0-1.0 % (optimum 0.1 % (w/v)). Strain SKBGT was a chemoorganoheterotroph that used sugars and some organic acids as substrates. The predominant fatty acids in cell walls were С16:1ω9, С18:1ω9, and С16 : 0. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain SKBGT shared high similarity (>99 %) with those of the type strains of the genus Trichococcus. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain SKBGT and Trichococcus shcherbakoviae ArtT (=DSM 107162T=VKM B-3260T) were 70.1 and 95.4 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SKBGT was 47.1 mol%. Compared with the type strain of T. shcherbakoviae, the new strain was characterized by a temperature optimum for growth (10 °C) significantly lower than that of T. shcherbakoviae DSM 107162T (20-30 °C). Based on phenotypic and genomic characteristics, the isolate SKBGT was classified as T. shcherbakoviae subsp. psychrophilus subsp. nov. The type strain is SKBGT (=VKM B-3241Т=JCM 33326T).

Desulfosporosinus metallidurans sp. nov., an acidophilic, metal-resistant sulfate-reducing bacterium from acid mine drainage.

A novel, spore-forming, acidophilic and metal-resistant sulfate-reducing bacterium, strain OLT, was isolated from a microbial mat in a tailing dam at a gold ore mining site. Cells were slightly curved immotile rods, 0.5 µm in diameter and 2.0-3.0 µm long. Cells were stained Gram-negative, despite the Gram-positive cell structure revealed by electron microscopy of ultrathin layers. OLT grew at pH 4.0-7.0 with an optimum at 5.5. OLT utilised H2, lactate, pyruvate, malate, formate, propionate, ethanol, glycerol, glucose, fructose, sucrose, peptone and tryptone as electron donors for sulfate reduction. Sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, nitrate and fumarate were used as electron acceptors in the presence of lactate. Elemental sulfur, iron (III), and arsenate did not serve as electron acceptors. The major cellular fatty acids were C16:1ω7c (39.0 %) and C16 : 0 (12.1 %). The draft genome of OLT was 5.29 Mb in size and contained 4909 protein-coding genes. The 16S rRNA gene sequence placed OLT within the phylum Firmicutes, class Clostridia, family Peptococcaceae, genus Desulfosporosinus. Desulfosporosinus nitroreducens 59.4BT was the closest relative with 97.6 % sequence similarity. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain OLT represents a novel species within the genus Desulfosporosinus, for which we propose the name Desulfosporosinus metallidurans sp. nov. with the type strain OLT (=DSM 104464T=VKM В-3021T).

Description of Oceanispirochaeta crateris sp. nov. and reclassification of Spirochaeta perfilievii as Thiospirochaeta perfilievii gen. nov., comb. nov.

A novel obligately anaerobic spirochete strain K2T was isolated from bottom marine sediments at Crater Bay of Yankicha Island (Kuril Islands, Russia). Strain K2T had helical shape and Gram-negatively stained. The optimal growth conditions were as follows: the optimum temperature was 28-30 °C with range 5-34 °C; optimal pH at 7.0-7.5 with range of 6.8-8.5; NaCl optimum at 3-3.5 % (w/v) and range of 1-7 % (w/v). Strain K2T was catalase- and oxidase-negative. Glucose fermentation products were acetate, lactate, ethanol, CO2, H2. The major fatty acids were C14 : 0, iso-C13 : 0, iso-C15:0, C14 : 0 DMA, iso-C15 : 0 DMA. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 43.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA genes showed that strain K2T belonged to the genus Oceanispirochaeta of the family Spirochaetaceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of strain K2T and O. litoralis DSM 2029T and O. sediminicola DSM 104770T was 96 and 94 %, respectively. Based on the results of our study, we propose the name Oceanispirochaeta crateris sp. nov.; type strain K2T (=DSM 16308T=VKM B-3266T). Also, the taxonomic status of Spirochaeta perfilevii was revised: 16S rRNA genes sequence showed less than 89 % similarity to nearest phylogenetic neighbours. Therefore, we proposed to separate this species into a novel genus Thiospirochaeta - T. perfilievii gen. nov., comb. nov.

Sphaerochaeta halotolerans sp. nov., a novel spherical halotolerant spirochete from a Russian heavy oil reservoir, emended description of the genus Sphaerochaeta, reclassification of Sphaerochaeta coccoides to a new genus Parasphaerochaeta gen. nov. as Parasphaerochaeta coccoides comb. nov. and proposal of Sphaerochaetaceae fam. nov.

Anaerobic, fermentative, halotolerant bacteria, strains 4-11T and 585, were isolated from production water of two low-temperature petroleum reservoirs (Russia) and were characterized by using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the strains were spherical, non-motile and 0.30-2.5 µm in diameter. Strain 4-11T grew optimally at 35 °C, pH 6.0 and 1.0-2.0% (w/v) NaCl. Both strains grew chemoorganotrophically with mono-, di- and trisaccharides. The major cellular fatty acids of both strains were C14:0, C16:0, C16:1 ω9 and C18:0 3-OH. Major polar lipids were glycolipids and phospholipids. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the strains 4-11T and 585 had 99.9% similarity and were most closely related to the sequence of Sphaerochaeta associata GLS2T (96.9, and 97.0% similarity, respectively). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strains 4-11T and 585 were 46.8 and 46.9%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between the genomes of strain 4-11T and S. associata GLS2T were 73.0 and 16.9%, respectively. Results of phylogenomic metrics analysis of the genomes and 120 core proteins of strains 4-11T and 585 and their physiological and biochemical characteristics confirmed that the strains represented a novel species of the genus Sphaerochaeta, for which the name Sphaerochaeta halotolerans sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 4-11T (=VKM B-3269T=KCTC 15833T). Based on the results of phylogenetic analysis, Sphaerochaeta coccoides was reclassified as member of a new genus Parasphaerochaeta gen. nov., Parasphaerochaeta coccoides comb. nov. The genera Sphaerochaeta and Parasphaerochaeta form a separate clade, for which a novel family, Sphaerochaetaceae fam. nov., is proposed.

Desulfovibrio gilichinskyi sp. nov., a cold-adapted sulfate-reducing bacterium from a Yamal Peninsula cryopeg.

A psychrotolerant non-spore-forming sulfate-reducing bacterium, strain K3ST, was isolated from a Yamal Peninsula cryopeg within permafrost. Strain K3ST grew at subzero temperatures and required Na+ for growth. The new bacterium was able to use lactate, formate, pyruvate, fumarate, alanine, ethanol and molecular hydrogen as electron donors in the presence of sulfate, and used sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate and elemental sulfur as electron acceptors in the presence of lactate. Fe(III)-citrate and Fe(III)-EDTA were reduced without visible growth. Major polar lipids were рhosphatidylserine, рhosphatidylethanolamine, phospholipids, cardiolipin and aminolipid; major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 1ω7, C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7; and the predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-6 (H2). The genomic DNA G+C content was found to be 42.33 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the closest relative of the new isolate was Desulfovibrio ferrireducens strain 61T with 97.1 % 16S rRNA gene similarity. In addition, the ANI value between strain K3ST and D. ferrireducens 61T was 82.1 %. On the basis of the genomic and polyphasic taxonomy data of strain K3ST, we conclude that the strain is a representative of a novel species Desulfovibrio gilichinskyi sp. nov. (=VKM B-2877T=DSM 100341T).

Alkaliphilus namsaraevii sp. nov., an alkaliphilic iron- and sulfur-reducing bacterium isolated from a steppe soda lake.

A novel alkaliphilic spore-forming bacterium was isolated from the benthic sediments of the highly mineralized steppe Lake Khilganta (Transbaikal Region, Russia). Cells of the strain, designated Ð¥-07-2T, were straight to slightly curved rods, Gram-stain-positive and motile. Strain Ð¥-07-2T grew in the pH range from 7.0 to 10.7 (optimum pH 9.6-10.3). Growth was observed at 25-47 °C (optimum 30 °C) and at an NaCl concentration from 5 to 150 g l-1 with an optimum at 40 g l-1. Strain Ð¥-07-2T was a chemo-organoheterotroph able to reduce amorphous ferric hydroxide, Fe(III) citrate and elemental sulfur in the presence of yeast extract as the electron donor. It used tryptone, peptone and trypticase with Fe(III) citrate as the electron acceptor. The predominant fatty acids in cell walls were C16:1ω8, iso-C15:0, C14 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 32.6 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain Ð¥-07-2T was related most closely to members of the genus Alkaliphilus within the family Clostridiaceae. The closest relative was Alkaliphilus peptidifermentans Z-7036T (96.4 % similarity). On the basis of the genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strain Ð¥-07-2T represents a novel species in the genus Alkaliphilus, for which the name Alkaliphilus namsaraevii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Ð¥-07-2T (=VKM В-2746Т=DSM 26418Т).

Anoxynatronum buryatiense sp. nov., an anaerobic alkaliphilic bacterium from a low mineralization soda lake in Buryatia, Russia.

An anaerobic alkaliphilic, proteolytic bacterium, strain Su22T, was isolated from the bottom sediment of the alkaline low mineralization lake Sulphatnoe (Selenginsky district, Buryatia, Russia). A comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that this bacterium was closely related to Anoxynatronum sibiricum Z-7981T with a similarity of 98.1 %. Strain Su22T differed from A. sibiricum Z-7981T in its inability to use carbohydrates, peptone and amino acids as carbon sources. Strain Su22T grew over a temperature range of 20-40 °C with an optimum at 30 °C and within the pH range 7.4-11.0 with an optimum at pH 9.6. Sodium cations stimulated the growth of the strain considerably with an optimal concentration at 0.76-1.09 M. The whole-cell fatty acid profile included C16 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and C16 : 0 ALDE. The G+C content was 46.1 mol%. Based on the DNA-DNA hybridization level (53.2 %) and phenotypical differences between strains Su22T and Z-7981T, the new isolate is thus considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Anoxynatronumburyatiense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Su22Т (=VKM B-2510T=CECT 8731T).

Sphaerochaeta associata sp. nov., a spherical spirochaete isolated from cultures of Methanosarcina mazei JL01.

An anaerobic, saccharolytic bacterial strain designated GLS2T was isolated from aggregates of the psychrotolerant archaeon Methanosarcina mazei strain JL01 isolated from arctic permafrost. Bacterial cells were non-motile, spherical, ovoid and annular with diameter 0.2-4 µm. They were chemoorganoheterotrophs using a wide range of mono-, di- and trisaccharides as carbon and energy sources. The novel isolate required yeast extract and vitamins for growth. The bacteria exhibited resistance to a number of ß-lactam antibiotics, rifampicin, streptomycin and vancomycin. Optimum growth was observed between 30 and 34 °C, at pH 6.8-7.5 and with 1-2 g NaCl l- 1. Isolate GLS2T was a strict anaerobe but it tolerated oxygen exposure. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain GLS2T was shown to belong to the genus Sphaerochaeta within the family Spirochaetaceae. Its closest relatives were Sphaerochaeta globosa BuddyT (99.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Sphaerochaeta pleomorpha GrapesT (95.4 % similarity). The G+C content of DNA was 47.2 mol%. The level of DNA-DNA hybridization between strains GLS2T and BuddyT was 34.7 ± 8.8 %. Major polar lipids were phosphoglycolipids, phospholipids and glycolipids; major fatty acids were C14 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0 dimethyl acetal (DMA), C16 : 1n8 and C16 : 1 DMA; respiratory quinones were not detected. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization, physiological and biochemical tests demonstrated genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain GLS2T from the four species of the genus Sphaerochaeta with validly published names that allowed its separation into a new lineage at the species level. Strain GLS2T therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Sphaerochaeta associata sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain GLS2T ( = DSM 26261T = VKM B-2742T).

Novel thermophilic genera Geochorda gen. nov. and Carboxydochorda gen. nov. from the deep terrestrial subsurface reveal the ecophysiological diversity in the class Limnochordia.

The class Limnochordia harbors a single cultivated member, the mesophilic Limnochorda pilosa, which was isolated from a meromictic lake. Despite numerous molecular signatures reported in various ecosystems, the ecophysiological versatility of this deeply branched lineage of Firmicutes (Bacillota) remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to use targeted cultivation, based on metagenome-assembled genomes from a deep terrestrial aquifer in Western Siberia, to isolate two new thermophilic members of the class. These isolates, described as Geochorda subterranea gen. nov. sp. nov. and Carboxydochorda subterranea gen. nov. sp. nov. within the Geochordaceae fam. nov., were capable of both anaerobic and aerobic respiration using fumarate and O2, respectively, with simple sugars as electron donors. The cultivated Geochordaceae have demonstrated fermentative growth and degradation of various polymers, including starch, maltose, maltodextrin, xylan, and chitin. The carboxydotrophic C. subterranea sp. nov. exhibited autotrophic growth via the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle, using CO, H2, and formate as electron donors and O2 as an electron acceptor, adding metabolic flexibility to the bacterium in the nutrient-depleted "deep biosphere" and supporting the possibility of aerobic metabolism in the deep subsurface. The broad physiological potential deciphered from physiological experiments and comparative genomic data explains the widespread distribution of uncultivated members of the class Limnochordia in various ecosystems, where they can oxidize complex organic substrates through both aerobic and anaerobic respiration, as well as pursue a chemolithotrophic lifestyle through the oxidation of H2 or CO.

Survival of microorganisms during two-year exposure in outer space near the ISS.

Results of an experiment named "Test" on survival and variability of microorganisms in open space near the International Space Station are presented. It was found after two-years exposure, spore-forming bacteria of the species Bacillus subtilis, fungi of the species Aureobasidium pullulans and archaea of the species Methanosarcina mazei S-6T, deposited on cotton wool, are able to survive, and their numbers decreased equally, regardless of whether the microorganisms belong to different taxonomic groups. The main factors for the long-term survival could be the result of their dehydration and partial lyophilization in the vacuum of near-Earth space. For the first time, after being in outer space, cyst-like cells of the archaea strain M. mazei S-6T and a 14-day delay in their growth were detected when cultured on a nutrient medium compared to the ground-based control strain. In 30% of fungi species strains A. pullulans, isolated after a two-year stay in outer space, the resistance to γ-radiation increased compared to the control strain. It was found that the reaction to the action of various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and 1% chlorine in the surviving strains of the fungus A. pullulans on the ISS is less pronounced than in the control strain.

Celerinatantimonas yamalensis sp. nov., a cold-adapted diazotrophic bacterium from a cold permafrost brine.

A facultatively anaerobic nitrogen-fixing bacterium, strain C7(T), was isolated from a permafrost cryopeg on the Yamal Peninsula, Russia. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that this bacterium was closely related to Celerinatantimonas diazotrophica S-G2-2(T) with a similarity of 95.5 %. Strain C7(T) differed from Celerinatantimonas diazotrophica in its ability to hydrolyse gelatin and inability to use d-mannose, melibiose, l-rhamnose, myo-inositol, lactose, lactulose, d-mannitol, trehalose, dl-lactate, glycogen or l-proline as sole carbon sources. In addition, strain C7(T) grew over a temperature range of 0-34 °C with optimum growth at 18-22 °C. The whole-cell fatty acid profile included C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω7, C18 : 1ω7, C17 cyclo and summed feature 2 [comprising C12 : 0 aldehyde and/or unknown fatty acid 10.913 (MIDI designation) and/or iso-C16 : 1/C14 : 0 3-OH]. The DNA G+C content was 44.7 mol%. Strain C7(T) is thus considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Celerinatantimonas yamalensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C7(T) ( = VKM B-2511(T) = DSM 21888(T)).

Microorganisms for the oxidation of nitrated cellulose in its effluents (review).

The processes of microbiological destruction of toxic and large-tonnage waste are the most attractive processes for protecting the environment. The review considers the results of studies of microbial decomposition of nitrate esters, including hardly decomposable nitrocellulose. The published data show that specific microorganisms are able to degrade nitrated cellulose compounds under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. The most promising microorganisms in terms of the efficiency of the nitrocellulose degradation process are bacteria belonging to Desulfovibrio genera, fungi Fusarium solani and Sclerotium rolfsii, as well as their co-cultivation. Recently, the first information about the enzymes involved in the process of nitrocellulose degradation, possible mechanisms of reactions carried out by these enzymes, and the effect of electron donors and acceptors adding to the process have been obtained. Contamination of industrial wastewater with nitrocellulose leads to treatment necessity by using cost-effective, harmless methods. A combined aerobic-anaerobic system, including both bacteria and fungi, has shown hopeful results.

Desulfovibrio arcticus sp. nov., a psychrotolerant sulfate-reducing bacterium from a cryopeg.

A psychrotolerant sulfate-reducing bacterium, designated B15(T), was isolated from supercooled water brine from within permafrost of the Varandey Peninsula, on the southern coast of the Barents Sea. Cells were Gram-negative, motile vibrions (3.0-4.0×0.4-0.5 µm) with a single polar flagellum. The isolate was positive for desulfoviridin as a bisulfite reductase. Strain B15(T) grew at -2 to 28 °C (optimum 24 °C) and with 0-2.0% NaCl (optimum 0.2%). The isolate used H(2) plus acetate, formate, ethanol, lactate, pyruvate and choline as electron donors and used sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, DMSO and Fe(3+) as electron acceptors. Pyruvate and lactate were not fermented in the absence of sulfate. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 55.2 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the isolate belonged to the genus Desulfovibrio. Its closest relatives were Desulfovibrio idahonensis CY1(T) (98.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Desulfovibrio mexicanus Lup1(T) (96.5%). On the basis of genotypic, phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Desulfovibrio arcticus sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is B15(T) (=VKM B-2367(T)=DSM 21064(T)).

Draft Genome Sequence of a Methanogenic Archaeon from West Spitsbergen Permafrost.

Methanobacterium sp. strain VT is a psychrotolerant methanogenic archaeon that was isolated from West Spitsbergen island (Norway) permafrost. This article describes the draft genome sequence of Methanobacterium sp. strain VT.

Biogeochemical Characteristics of Earth's Volcanic Permafrost: An Analog of Extraterrestrial Environments.

This article describes a study of frozen volcanic deposits collected from volcanoes Tolbachik and Bezymianny on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, and Deception Island volcano, Antarctica. In addition, we studied suprasnow ash layers deposited after the 2007 eruptions of volcanoes Shiveluch and Bezymianny on Kamchatka. The main objectives were to characterize the presence and survivability of thermophilic microorganisms in perennially frozen volcanic deposits. As opposed to permafrost from the polar regions, viable thermophiles were detected in volcanic permafrost by cultivation, microscopy, and sequencing. In the permafrost of Tolbachik volcano, we observed methane formation by both psychrophilic and thermophilic methanogenic archaea, while at 37°C, methane production was noticeably lower. Thermophilic bacteria isolated from volcanic permafrost from the Deception Island were 99.93% related to Geobacillus stearothermophilus. Our data showed biological sulfur reduction to sulfide at 85°C and even at 130°C, where hyperthermophilic archaea of the genus Thermoproteus were registered. Sequences of hyperthermophilic bacteria of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor were discovered in clone libraries from fresh volcanic ash deposited on snow. Microorganisms found in volcanic terrestrial permafrost may serve as a model for the alien inhabitants of Mars, a cryogenic planet with numerous volcanoes. Thermophiles and hyperthermophiles and their metabolic processes represent a guideline for the future exploration missions on Mars.