The halophilic microorganisms, living in salt lakes distributed over the Tibet Plateau,"The third polar of the Earth", are unique bio-resources. The main species groups of the halophilic microorganisms and their response mechanism to the saline stress are reviewed in this paper, as well as the advances of studies of the halophilic microorganisms in the Tibet Plateau and the potential applications of these kinds of bioresources. The halophilic microorganisms are novel and unique bioresource in understanding the life origin and the nature of life, as well as in exploring the new type of food, medicine, materials and the biotechnology.

Tibet Plateau  /  salt lakes  /  halophilic microorganism resources