A newly discovered organism thrives near deep-sea ocean vents at temperatures up to 121C, living off dissolved iron. Images, video, and links to related research. Press release from the National Science Foundation.

Covers their main groupings, chemical differences from other life forms, fossil record, and the structure of their cell walls.

Links to popular press and journal articles, research news, and other sources of information about Archaea and extremophiles. Includes user comments.

Shows the relationships among the reconginzed groups, and samples yet to be named or classified.

Microbiological journal devoted to original research on the Archaea. Author guide, publication schedule, and text of older articles.

Links to information about thermophiles, halophiles, and other extremophiles both inside and outside of the domain Archaea.

Taxonomy, description, and extensive references, with particular emphasis on the Crenarchaeota (classified here as a Kingdom.)

Summary of research into the scientific uses of thermophiles and their heat-tolerant enzymes, such as PCR (polymerase chain reactions), toxic waste cleanup, and biomedical processes. [Free registration required]

Discusses the unique lipid composition of their cell walls, bacteriorhodopsin photosynthesis, and the use of high concentrations of potassium to combat sodium osmosis.

Detailed discussion of the molecules involved in their cytoplasmic and photosynthetic membrane lipids, structural glycoproteins, ionic relationships, and photosynthetic cycle.