Nicknamed "Conan the Bacterium," *Deinococcus radiodurans* is a deeply branching bacterium belonging to a genus whose name is derived from a Greek word meaning "terrible berry." Classified as a polyextremophile, it can survive diverse extreme environments including heat, drought, vacuum, acidity, and radiation. Its unique ability to withstand high doses of ionizing radiation that kill other bacteria is attributed to specialized DNA repair mechanisms.

University of Wisconsin - Madison

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Deeply branching bacteria are the phylogenetically oldest forms of life and the closest relatives to the last universal common ancestor. They often live in extreme environments that mimic the conditions of ancient Earth billions of years ago, making them crucial for studying evolutionary history and useful for industrial processes.

Deeply Branching Bacteria

https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology/

Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

Microbiology is produced through a collaborative publishing agreement between OpenStax and the American Society for Microbiology Press. The book aligns with the curriculum guidelines of the American Society for Microbiology.

OpenStax Microbiology Textbook

*Deinococcus radiodurans*

The genus *Acetothermus* is a deeply branching bacterium that represents one of the earliest non-LUCA (last universal common ancestor) lineages of life on Earth, arising approximately 3.5 billion years ago.

*Acetothermus*

Thermotogae is a class of anaerobic, gram-negative bacteria that are primarily hyperthermophilic, though some are mesophilic. A defining characteristic of these bacteria is that their cells are enclosed in a unique, toga-like outer sheath membrane. Additionally, their cell walls contain a thin layer of peptidoglycan with an atypical composition that includes diaminopimelic acid and D-lysine.

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