Lanzhou University's Center for the Pan-third Pole Environment, located in Gansu province, has gained global recognition, ranking among the top three worldwide in the field of glacier microbiology research. The team's groundbreaking work focuses on microorganisms preserved in glaciers, particularly those on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, also known as the "Earth's Third Pole," offering critical insights into climate change.

Glacier microbiology expedition team of Lanzhou University's Center for the Pan-third Pole Environment. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

With remarkable perseverance and dedication, the team conducts extensive fieldwork in extreme environments to study the relationship between glacier microbes and climate change, as well as their potential impact on ecosystems. Global warming and the subsequent glacier melt have raised pressing concerns about the release of long-dormant microorganisms trapped for centuries within the ice. The team views these developments as a key area of research, addressing questions about potential risks akin to opening "Pandora's Box."