INTRODUCTION

Archaea are a group of microbial life distinct from Bacteria and Eukarya. They are found in virtually every environment on earth, and often dominate extreme environments such as hypersaline lakes, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and acidic hotsprings. Archaea possess unique molecular, biochemical and cellular features that distinguish them from other forms of life. They occupy critical ecological roles, including driving global biogeochemical cycles through processes such as methanogenesis and methane oxidation, influencing climate regulation and nutrient cycling. Beyond their environmental significance, archaea provide valuable insights into fundamental biological processes. Their molecular machinery often shares evolutionary relationships with eukaryotic systems, making them powerful models for investigating the origins of complex cellular life. Furthermore, archaeal enzymes and metabolic pathways have considerable biotechnological potential, particularly in industrial processes operating under extreme conditions. Despite their importance, many archaeal lineages remain poorly characterised and are under-represented in microbial research, highlighting the need for continued research to uncover their biological diversity, evolutionary history and contributions to global ecosystems.

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PURPOSE

Through the organisation of seminars, workshops, symposiums, and networking events, and the promotion of SIG members and activities through social media and newsletters, the Archaea SIG aims to:

• Improve the connectedness of Archaea researchers in Australia: Research on Archaea is rapidly growing among microbiologists across Australia, but the community remains geographically dispersed. The SIG will bring together Archaea-focused researchers from across the country, creating opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and national collaboration. Additionally, the SIG will provide opportunities for early career researchers or individuals with growing interest in Archaea to interact with experts in the field and engage with the broader community.

•  Strengthen Australia’s presence in the global Archaea research community: Despite Australia’s strong contributions to microbiology, Australian researchers have historically been under-represented within the global Archaea research community. By connecting researchers nationally and fostering collaboration across diverse disciplines and backgrounds, the SIG will strengthen Australia’s visibility and contribution to Archaea and microbial research internationally.

• Promote public and academic awareness of Archaea in Australia: Archaea are a significant branch of microbial life, distinct from Bacteria and Eukarya. They are important for understanding overall microbial diversity, evolution, metabolism, and ecology, and yet they are consistently under-represented in microbial research and education.The SIG will help foster discussions between academics, educators, and the public to enhance visibility and understanding of Archaea.

• Advance Archaeal research: The SIG will disseminate the latest research and developments in diverse areas related to Archaeal biology, from fundamental biology, environmental biology, and biotechnology.

SCOPE

The activities of the Archaea SIG will highlight a broad scope of research involving archaea, including fundamental cell biology, microbial evolution, environmental microbiology and ecology, and biotechnology and industry applications. The SIG will act as a central point of communication, collaboration, and distribution of knowledge for archaeal research nationally. It will facilitate interconnectedness of archaea researchers in Australia, allowing the rapidly growing community to build a strong international presence and develop the next-generation of archaeal biologists in Australia.

CO - CONVENORS