Fresh bacteria have been discovered at the Chinese space station

Is microscopic and in the shape of a rod can create spores and could evolve to survive hundreds of miles above the surface of our planet. This bacterium, never seen before on Earth, was detected at the Tiangong Chinese space station. He was named Niallia TiangongensisAnd he lived in control of the cockpit at the station, living in micro -right conditions.

According to China Central Television, national national broadcaster, Taikonauts (Chinese astronauts) gathered swab samples from the space station in May 2023, which were then frozen and sent back to the ground. The purpose of this work was to examine the behavior of microorganisms, collected from a completely sealed environment with the human crew, during space travel, as part of the microbiome program at China Station Station Area (Champ).

Article published in Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology describes how the analysis of samples from the space station revealed this previously imperceptible bacterial species, which belongs to the type Nit. Genomic sequencing showed that its closest land relative is a bacterium Niallia CirculanceAlthough Tiangong species have significant genetic differences.

Niallia Tiangongensis It shows structural and functional changes that mean that it is well adapted to an existing at a space station. It has the ability to hydrolyzes gelatin (unfolding this protein into smaller ingredients) in a unique way, enabling the consumption of protein to survive in the needy in nutrients. In addition, these bacteria are able to create a protective biofilm, activate answers to oxidative stress and promote repair in the face of radiation damage. “It helps to survive in the cosmic environment,” explains the article.

Bacteria of the genus Nit They are characterized by their shape similar to the rod, a stout cell wall, the lack of an external membrane and their ability to create endospor, which ensure their survival in adverse conditions. Niallia Circulance,

It is not clear whether the newly discovered microorganisms have evolved at a space station, or whether it is part of the enormous sea of ​​unidentified microorganisms on Earth so far. So far tens of thousands of bacterial species have been cataloged, although there is It is estimated at billions more Unclassified species on Earth.

Discovery Niallia Tiangongensis It will provide a better understanding of microscopic threats with which they will encounter the next generation of space travelers and aid in the design of sanitary protocols for extended missions. It is too early to determine whether a space bacterium is a danger to taiconauts on board Tiangong, although it is known that its land relative, Niallia CirculanceIt can cause sepsis, especially in people with reduced immunity.

This story originally appeared Wired In Spanish and was translated from Spanish.