They’re already adapting to off-planet life.
New Cousins Samples taken from China’s Tiangong space station contained a new, mysterious microbe that hasn’t been seen on Earth, a recent paper published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology revealed.
The microbe, named Niallia tiangongensis — it was named after the space station — is a never-before-seen strain of an earthborne bacteria specially adapted to off-planet life.
It’s unclear whether the bacteria pose any threat to astronauts onboard the space station, and their related strains are generally considered unpathogenic.
More on spacefaring bacteria: Mutant Bacteria Discovered Aboard International Space Station
Off-planet life is already becoming easier for them.
Cousins new.
According to a new study in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, samples collected from China’s Tiangong space station contained a novel, enigmatic microbe that has never been observed on Earth.
Named after the space station, Niallia tiangongensis is a previously undiscovered strain of earthborne bacteria that has been uniquely adapted to life on other planets.
A group of researchers from the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering and the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group found that the new microbe has developed the ability to recover from radiation damage and endure oxidative stress. It can also use gelatin as a source of carbon and nitrogen to create a barrier that protects it from environmental stressors, as Science Alert notes.
Although their related strains are generally regarded as non-pathogenic, it is unclear if the bacteria are a threat to astronauts aboard the space station. Nevertheless, one of its Earthly cousins is known to induce sepsis in patients with compromised immune systems, as Science Alert points out.
The recovery and analysis of the microbe, however, might help Earthly researchers better prepare spacefarers to remain safe, healthy, and protected during their journeys outside of our atmosphere if it could potentially cause any harm.
The researchers stated in the paper that “Knowing the properties of microbes during long-term space missions is essential for safeguarding the health of astronauts and maintaining the functionality of spacecraft.”.
Microorganisms in orbit.
The rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium Niallia circulans, which is frequently found in soil and sewage, is a cousin of the new species. The Shenzhou-15 mission’s crew, who also played ping-pong in space as part of their research, initially gathered the samples that Chinese researchers are examining back in 2023.
Microbes that have adapted to the environment have been found on human space stations before. According to a NASA study last year, for example, scientists from the prestigious Jet Propulsion Lab discovered that drug-resistant bacteria Enterobacter bugandensis specimens had changed into previously unseen alien strains. These strains were not only better equipped to survive the harsh conditions of space, but they had also evolved to assist other microbial life in doing the same.
NASA stated in a press release at the time that “any microorganisms introduced to these areas must adapt to thrive.”. “..”.
Read more about bacteria that travel through space: Mutant Bacteria Found on the International Space Station.
