Discovered in 1956 by researcher Arthur Anderson at the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station (USA), Deinococcus radiodurans has been proven through scientific studies to be one of the most radiation-resistant organisms known. It can survive in cold, dehydrated, vacuum, and acidic environments. These unique characteristics have earned this bacterial species a place in the Guinness World Records as the longest-living bacteria on Earth.
However, it wasn’t until 2015 that scientists discovered the ability of Deinococcus radiodurans to survive in outer space, transforming it into an almost “immortal” organism.
In a recent publication in the scientific journal Microbiome, a group of scientists from Austria, Japan, and Germany expressed their astonishment at finding healthy Deinococcus radiodurans bacteria clinging to the surface of the spacecraft involved in the “Tanpopo mission.” This spacecraft departed Earth in 2015 to reach the International Space Station (ISS) before returning a year later.
Although not all bacteria brought aboard survived and returned, those that did were robust and showed slight alterations.
Observations indicate that Deinococcus radiodurans bacteria living in outer space exhibit signs of “swelling and water blisters,” with increased protein and mRNA content inside the cells compared to the bacteria existing on Earth. Scientists believe these signs indicate that the self-repair mechanism has been activated, allowing this bacterial species to adapt and survive in harsh environments.
Another experiment even demonstrated that D. radiodurans can survive for at least three years in outer space.
Currently, scientists are still studying the mechanisms that enable this bacteria to survive in such extreme environments. The answers may provide valuable insights into the mechanisms and processes by which life can exist beyond Earth, expanding human understanding of survival and adaptation in outer space.
This is particularly significant for space exploration, as humans strive each day to venture further beyond Earth to new planets.
Moreover, D. radiodurans holds great potential for use in biomedical research and nano-technology. Understanding and discovering new capabilities of these bacteria will bring even greater benefits in these fields.