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Date of Creation: May 21, 2025 08:18
Bacteria discovered in the samples taken from China’s Tiangong Space Station confused.
In the samples taken from China’s Tiangong Space Station, a new type of bacteria that has never been observed before was discovered in the world. Scientists said that this bacteria has special abilities to help survive in challenging space conditions.
This new species, called “Niallia Tiangongensis ,, received its name from the space station where it was discovered.
Researchers at the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and Beijing Space Vehicle Institute of System Engineering, which made the discovery, emphasized that these and similar microorganisms are vital to preserve the functionality of astronaut and the functionality of spacecraft in long -term space tasks.
According to Science Alert, the analysis made by examples from the station cabin in May 2023 by the Shenzhou-15 crew was part of one of the two comprehensive examinations carried out within the scope of the Chinese Space Station Living Area Microbiome Program.
Research has shown that microbial life at the station is quite different from the examples of the International Space Station in terms of both composition and function.
There is a close relative in the world
The new species is said to be close to Niallia Circulans, a known bacteria in the depths of the soil. This bacteria, which was previously classified as a pathogenic Bacillus species, was recently redefined under a different breed.
Just like Bacillus species, N. Tiangongensis produces durable sports under difficult conditions to survive.
How did he come here?
Scientists have not yet had certain information as to whether this bacterium evolves in space or whether it has been carried from Earth to the Station in a sports form. However, genetic analysis shows that this species has some remarkable features.
In particular, its ability to disintegrate the gelatin as a source of nitrogen and carbon helps to create a protective biofilm layer that enables it to survive under compelling environment conditions. On the other hand, it has lost its ability to use other energy -rich components.
This is a striking proof of how easily bacteria can adapt to the space environment while revealing how much the genus Niallia can show.
There is no escape from microorganisms in space
Even in the “clean rooms ğı used by NASA for the Mars Phoenix mission, 26 new bacteria belonging to dozens of different microbes were discovered.
New studies have shown that these bacteria owe their survival skills to their genes that provide resistance to toxic substances.
According to scientists, although it is not possible to completely destroy these microorganisms, it is of great importance to recognize them and foresee their behavior.
It is not yet known whether N. Tiangongensis poses a direct threat to astronaut health. However, it is thought that this bacteria may carry potential health risks, considering the ability to break down the gelatin of the new species.
While planning new tasks to be done in the Moon and beyond, the question of how these invisible passengers traveling with people live and what risks are more important than ever.
