Multi-omics for studying and understanding polar life
Melody S. Clark, Joseph I. Hoffman, Lloyd S. Peck, Luca Bargelloni, Darjan Gande, Charlotte Havermans, Bettina Meyer, Tomaso Patarnello, Tony Phillips, Kathleen R. Stoof‐Leichsenring, David L. J. Vendrami, Andreas Beck, Gemma E Collins, Michael W. Friedrich, Kenneth M. Halanych, Juan F. Masello, Rebecca Nagel, Karin Norén, Christian Printzen, Micaela Ruiz, Sylke Wohlrab, Burkhard Becker, Kenneth Dumack, Fatemeh Ghaderiardakani, Karin Glaser, Svenja Heesch, Christoph Held, Uwe John, Ulf Karsten, Sarah Kempf, Magnus Lucassen, A.J. Paijmans, Katherina Schimani, A. Wallberg, Lea C. Wunder, Thomas Möck
Abstract
Polar ecosystems are experiencing amongst the most rapid rates of regional warming on Earth. Here, we discuss 'omics' approaches to investigate polar biodiversity, including the current state of the art, future perspectives and recommendations. We propose a community road map to generate and more fully exploit multi-omics data from polar organisms. These data are needed for the comprehensive evaluation of polar biodiversity and to reveal how life evolved and adapted to permanently cold environments with extreme seasonality. We argue that concerted action is required to mitigate the impact of warming on polar ecosystems via conservation efforts, to sustainably manage these unique habitats and their ecosystem services, and for the sustainable bioprospecting of novel genes and compounds for societal gain.