Ancient Microbes Revived from Antarctic Ice Pose Hidden Risks to Humans
- Minseo Kim
- 4 days ago
- 1 min read
Oct 28, 2025
Minseo Kim
A South Korean research team has uncovered microorganisms preserved for thousands of years beneath Antarctic ice, raising new concerns about potential infections as global warming accelerates the melting of glaciers.
Scientists from the Korea Polar Research Institute analyzed ice cores extracted from the Styx Glacier near the Jang Bogo Station in Antarctica. Within the samples, they identified 27 species and 656 strains of microorganisms. Notably, 55 bacterial strains showed genes allowing them to evade immune responses or infect human cells, according to lead researcher Dr. Kim Gijeong.
Laboratory experiments revealed that some microbes could damage red blood cells at 37°C, the normal temperature of the human body, suggesting a potential—though limited—infectious risk. Others carried genetic sequences resembling those found in known pathogens or exhibited toxic effects in aquatic organisms and laboratory animals.
The Styx Glacier cores, taken from ice formed between 520 and 1,980 years ago, serve as a natural archive of ancient ecosystems. Researchers emphasize that most microbes are dormant, but warming temperatures could expose them to modern environments.
Dr. Shin Hyung-chul, head of the institute, warned that “as polar ice melts, long-trapped microorganisms may re-emerge, increasing the chance of human contact.” The findings, published in Environmental Research, highlight the urgent need to assess microbial diversity in Antarctic ice to understand potential “latent biological threats” to humanity.
