FLORIDA / LONDON (IT BOLTWISE) – NASA scientists have made a remarkable discovery: a bacteria capable of playing dead in extreme environments. This capability could change the way we think about the survival of microbes on spacecraft and how we can prevent contamination during space missions.
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The discovery of a bacterium that can enter an extreme state of dormancy has the potential to fundamentally change the scientific view of how microbes survive in spacecraft. This ability, described as “playing dead,” allows the bacterium to survive in some of the cleanest environments on Earth. This finding could have far-reaching implications for preventing contamination during space missions by ensuring that discovered signs of life in the solar system can be trusted.
Nils Averesch, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Florida, emphasizes that some microbes are able to reach ultra-low metabolic states that allow them to survive in extremely barren environments. This discovery shows that survival on the surfaces of spacecraft or during deep space travel is more plausible than previously thought. The ability to intentionally suspend metabolism makes the bacterium particularly resilient.
In a recent report, scientists have described the mysterious bacterium Tersicoccus phoenicis, which has been found in the cleanest rooms where spacecraft are assembled. This type of bacteria was first discovered at NASA and European Space Agency facilities. Notably, the bacterium can remain dormant even when conditions improve, making it difficult to detect through standard sterilization controls.
The fact that Tersicoccus phoenicis does not form spores, a trait normally associated with extreme durability, makes its hardiness particularly surprising. This discovery could lead to the development of new strategies to prevent contamination during space missions, ensuring that any signs of life discovered in space are authentic and not adulterated by terrestrial microbes.
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