New bacteria were discovered at a Chinese space station

It is a microscope In the form of a rod, it can create germs, and may have evolved to survive hundreds of miles above the surface of our planet. These bacteria, which you have not seen before on the ground, were discovered on China Tiangong satellite station. It has been called Nyalia TiangonginsisAnd the dwelling of the driving control tools at the station, which lives in the conditions of minor gravity.

According to the Chinese Central Television, the national broadcaster in the country, TAIKONAUTS (Chinese astronauts) Collecting smear samples from the space station in May 2023, which were then frozen and sent to Earth to study. The aim of this work was to investigate the behavior of microorganisms, which were collected from a completely sealed environment with a human crew, during space travel, as part of the Microbiome program in the Station Station (CHAP).

A paper published in Systemic and developmental microbiology magazine How to detect samples analysis from the space station about these previously invisible bacterial species, which belong to sex Nyalia. The genetic sequence showed that its closest relative is bacteria Niallia CirculansAlthough Tiangong has significant genetic differences.

Nyalia Tiangonginsis It displays the structural and functional differences that mean that they are well adapted to a space station. It has the ability to degrade gelatin (breaking this protein into smaller components) in a unique way, allowing protein to survive in poor nutrient environments. In addition, these bacteria are able to form preventive vital membranes, stimulate oxidative stress responses, and enhance reform in the face of radiation damage. “This helps to stay in the space environment,” explains the paper.

Sex bacteria Nyalia It is characterized by a penis -like shape, a thick cell wall, the absence of an external membrane, and its ability to form an endospores that guarantee its survival in harmful conditions. Niallia CirculansFor example, it envelops genetic materials in a very protected cell, which remains inactive until the environment becomes favorable again.

It is not clear whether the newly discovered microbe has evolved on the space station or whether it is part of the vast sea of ​​microorganisms that are not yet specified on Earth. To date, tens of thousands of bacterial species have been indexed, although there It is estimated that you will be billions Non -classified species on the ground.

discovery Nyalia Tiangonginsis It will provide a better understanding of the microscopic risks that the next generation of space travelers will face and help design sewage protocols for extended missions. It is still too early to determine whether the space bacteria posed any danger to Taikonauts on Tiangong, although it is known that its terrestrial relative, Niallia CirculansIt can cause blood rot, especially in people with immunodeficiency.

This story was originally appeared on Wireless En español It was translated from Spanish.