New Bacteria Have Been Discovered on a Chinese Space Station

This is microscopic And rod-shaped, can produce seeds and develop a few miles away from the surface of our planet. This bacterium, has never been seen on earth before, was identified in China Tiangong Space StationThe It has been named NillyiaAnd it lives in cockpit controls at the station, living in microvity situations.

According to China Central Television, the country’s national broadcast, Tacoonts (Chinese innovator) in May 2021 collected the Swab sample from the Space Station, which was later frozen and sent back to Earth to study. The purpose of this job was to investigate the behavior of the microbiic gathering from a fully sealed environment with a human crew while traveling space as part of the China Space Station Habitage Area Microbiome Program (Champ).

Published in a paper Systemic and evolutionary microbiology journal How does this analysis of samples from the space station reveal this previously invisible bacteria species, which belong to genus QuietThe Genomic sequencing shows that its nearest ground relative is bacterium Nillyia CirculansAlthough there are considerable genetic differences of the Tiangong species.

Nillyia The structural and functional variations show that it is well adapted as well as existing in an space station. It has the ability to hydrollize gelatin (divides this protein into smaller ingredients) in a unique way, which allows protein to devour to survive in a nutrient-poor environment. Furthermore, these bacteria are able to form a protective biofilm, activate oxidative stress reactions and promote repairs in the face of radiation damage. “It helps them to survive in the space environment,” explains the paper.

Bacteria Quiet The shape of their rod, the wall of a dense cell, the absence of an outer membrane and their ability to form endospore, which ensures their survival in adverse circumstances. Nillyia CirculansFor example, a high protected cell binds its genetic ingredients, which is inactive until the environment is again favorable.

It is not clear whether the newly discovered microbes have developed at space station or whether it is part of the vast sea of ​​anonymous microorganisms on earth. Till today, a few thousand bacteria species have been cataloged, although there are May be more billion Classified species on earth.

Discovery Nillyia The next generation will provide a better idea of ​​the microscopic dangers that will face travelers and will help design the sanitation protocols for the extended mission. It is still very early to determine if there is any danger for the Taikonuts on the space bacterium Tiangong, though it is known that its ground relative, relative Nillyia CirculansSepsis can be especially among immunocompromised people.

This story was originally attended Wired In Spanish And have been translated from Spanish.