Robert Feldman (left), of Amersham Biosciences, and Craig Cary, University of Delaware marine biologist and chief scientist for the Extreme 2001 expedition, in the lab on board the R/V Atlantis.
Photo credit: University of Delaware College of Marine Studies

The MegaBACE 1000 DNA Analysis System and TempliPhi DNA Sequencing Template Amplification Kit have made it possible for scientists to analyze the DNA of deep-sea organisms in real time.
Photo credit: University of Delaware College of Marine Studies

Tubeworms have no mouth, eyes, or stomach ("gut"). Their survival depends on a symbiotic relationship with the billions of bacteria that live inside of them. These bacteria convert the chemicals that shoot out of the hydrothermal vents into food for the worm. This chemical-based food-making process is referred to as chemosynthesis.
Photo credit: University of Delaware College of Marine Studies

Previous University of Delaware research confirmed that the Pompeii worm is the most heat-tolerant animal on Earth, able to survive an environment as hot as 176°F. Covering this deep-sea worm's back is a fleece of bacteria. These microbes may possess heat-stable enzymes useful in a variety of applications, such as pharmaceutical production, food processing, paper and textile manufacture, and others.
Photo credit: University of Delaware College of Marine Studies

If you look closely at the lower right-hand quadrant of this photo, you can see a Pompeii worm extending its dark-red feathery head and paler body from its tube home. The worm is about 4 inches long. A closeup of the worm is shown in the photo above.
Photo credit: University of Delaware College of Marine Studies

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