Chinese scientists have made an exciting discovery aboard the Tiangong Space Station. They found a new strain of bacterium, named Niallia tiangongensis, that shows remarkable abilities to survive in space. This strain was collected by taikonauts from the surface of the space station and is closely related to a bacterium known as Niallia circulans, which typically lives in soil, sewage, food, and human waste.
The research, published by the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering in a scientific journal, highlights some unique features of Niallia tiangongensis. Unlike its Earth-bound cousin, this bacterium has developed mutations that could help scientists understand how life adapts to space environments. For instance, it can break down gelatin, suggesting it can use this substance as a food source when nutrients are scarce.
Additionally, the bacterium has differences in two important proteins that may improve its ability to form biofilms, respond to oxidative stress, and repair damage from radiation. These traits make Niallia tiangongensis particularly resilient and adaptable to the harsh conditions of space.
The sample collection took place in 2023 as part of the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Program, known as CHAMP. Taikonauts used sterile wipes to collect samples from various surfaces on the station and then brought these frozen samples back to Earth for analysis. This program aims to track how microbes behave during long-term space missions, which is crucial for future manned space flights.
Understanding these microbes could also have important implications for medicine and agriculture on Earth. This discovery is part of a broader trend, as researchers have also found mutated bacteria on the International Space Station that are resistant to drugs, highlighting how space travel can affect microbial life.
With this new strain, scientists hope to gain insights that will help us prepare for extended missions in space and improve our knowledge of microbial life in extreme environments.