Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) — Researchers on the Chinese space station announced for the first time the discovery of a new strain of bacteria, named Niallia tiangongensis, the China Manned Space Administration (CMSA) said on Tuesday.
As one of the oldest and most diverse forms of life on Earth, microorganisms are tiny but ubiquitous. The newly discovered species represents a previously unknown microbe that has never been documented or studied by scientists before.
The unique environment inside the space station, with its microgravity, radiation, confined spaces and limited nutrients, has long attracted researchers because of its potential to harbor unknown species of microorganisms.
In May 2023, the Shenzhou-15 crew collected microbial samples from the station’s surfaces using sterile wipes and preserved them at low temperatures in orbit. The frozen samples were sent back to Earth, where scientists analyzed the samples and identified a new species of microorganism, Niallia tiangongensis. The analysis involved multidisciplinary methods, including morphological analysis, genome sequencing, phylogenetic studies, and metabolic profiling, the CMSA said.
Microorganisms use their unique biological mechanisms to adapt to the stresses of the space environment, which in turn shape their metabolic and physiological characteristics.
Niallia tiangongensis exhibits exceptional stress tolerance by maintaining cellular redox balance and ensuring robust growth under extreme conditions by regulating bacillithiol (BSH) biosynthesis to counteract space-induced oxidative stress.
The new strain has distinctive biofilm-forming and radiation-damage-repelling capabilities, making it a versatile solution for space environments.
The new discovery offers scientists a completely new perspective: the adaptation mechanisms of new species could help develop targeted microbial control strategies that could be applied in aerospace, agriculture, industry and medicine, as well as in the sustainable use of organic matter.
As the long-term operation of the Chinese space station continues, researchers expect significant progress in understanding the biologically active components of microorganisms, their genetic resources and metabolic functions, which could potentially bring significant benefits to scientific research and practical applications on Earth.
The results of the study were published online in the international scientific journal International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. -0-