They discover an unknown bacterium at the Chinese Space Station

They discover an unknown bacterium at the Chinese Space Station

Although the “space hygiene” aboard the space stations and the transfers are taken care of to the millimeter, the measures are not infallible. A few years ago unknown bacteria were detected at the International Space Station and Now he has touched Tiangong, the Chinese space laboratory.

Scientists on board have discovered a new bacterial strain on board, The first of its kind found in the Orbital Laboratory of China. The strain, called Niallia tiagongensisit is a new variant of a known land bacterium and was discovered in a cabin inside the space station.

The finding has been possible thanks to the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and the Institute of Space Systems Engineering of Beijing, who announced the discovery of the new bacterial strain in a study published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. The study stressed that Understand the characteristics of microbes during long -term space missions It is essential to protect the health of astronauts and maintain the reliability of spacecraft systems.

The authors of the study, led by Hong Yin, discovered that the new strain has unique mechanisms of adaptation to the extreme spatial environment, with possible applications in the real world. Showed, for example, greater capacity to combat oxidative stress (An imbalance that damages cells and tissues) and to repair radiation -induced damage.

Understanding how the strain in space survives could help scientists develop specific strategies to control microbes, with possible applications in space technology, agriculture and medicine. China’s manned space agency said Tiangong’s research would produce an exceptional harvest of findings on microbial activitygenetics and metabolism, knowledge that could be translated into innovative uses on Earth.

In a publication in social networks, the agency indicated that The discovery was part of the microbiome program of the habitable area of ​​the Chinese Station (Champ), which monitors microbial changes during prolonged missions. The microbe was collected in May 2023, while the crew of the Shenzhou-15 was aboard the station.

The Shenzhou-15 crew spent six months at the space station, collecting microorganisms from the surfaces of the station modules with sterile wipes. These samples were frozen and brought to Earth. The scientists analyzed them through genomic sequencing and metabolic analysis, which led to the discovery of the new strain.

According to Chinese media, the discovery offers two key perspectives. First, COmarwhich would facilitate the design of interventions in the fields of spacecraft, agriculture, industry and medicine. Second, the capacity of the microbe to decompose specific organic compounds points to new sustainable ways to convert waste into valuable resources, both in space and on earth.

Microorganisms survive in space stations, adapting to complex conditions such as microgravity, radiation and confinementwhose analysis could expand our understanding of life in space. Despite these hostile environments, they are known by their strength, resilience and ability to prosper.

These findings, obtained in the unique environment of the space station, could deepen our understanding of microbial life and, potentially, lead to innovative applications and environmental sustainability.