Chinese scientists have discovered a new microbe that developed on board the county’s Tiangong space station, according to a new study.
The strain, officially named niallia tiangongensis, is a new variant of a previously known terrestrial bacteria and was found on a cabin in the space station.
The discovery was announced by researchers from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.
The paper said it was “essential” to understand the characteristics of microbes during long-term space missions to safeguard the health of astronauts and maintain the functionality of spacecraft.
The authors added that this new strain had ingenious mechanisms for adapting to the extreme space environment – a discovery that could have many real-life implications.
In a new study, Chinese researchers have identified a novel microbe that grew aboard the nation’s Tiangong space station.
Officially known as Niallia tiangongensis, the strain was discovered on a space station cabin and is a novel variation of a previously identified terrestrial bacterium.
In the peer-reviewed International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, scientists from the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering and the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group reported the finding.
Understanding the properties of microbes during extended space missions is “essential,” according to the paper, in order to protect astronaut health and preserve spacecraft functionality.
The authors also noted that this new strain had clever adaptation mechanisms for the harsh space environment, which may have a lot of practical applications.
For example, the study found that the strain was better able to reverse radiation-induced damage and fight oxidative stress, which causes cell and tissue damage because of an imbalance in the body.
By figuring out how it survives, scientists may be able to create precise and focused microbe control methods that could be applied to a variety of fields, such as space technology, agriculture, and medicine.
