Meet Deinococcus radiodurans, a microbe nicknamed “Conan the Bacterium” for its incredible ability to withstand extreme cold, acid, and radiation. What sets this bacterium apart is its arsenal of potent antioxidants that protect it from radiation damage.
Researchers at Northwestern University and the Uniformed Services University have studied the chemistry behind Deinococcus radiodurans’ remarkable resilience. They found that the microbe’s antioxidants mop up oxygen radicals before they can harm proteins critical to the cell’s repair process.
The key to this protection lies in a combination of manganese, phosphate, and peptide components, which together form a powerful antioxidant system. The researchers tested the activity of these components and discovered that the triple-combination structure is far more effective than any pair of other components.
This breakthrough understanding of Deinococcus radiodurans’ radiation resistance has significant implications for human health, industry, defense, and space exploration. Future research could lead to the development of even more potent manganese-based antioxidants for various applications, including preserving foods and medicines during long journeys to Mars and beyond.
The discovery is published in PNAS, offering new insights into the microbe’s “magic” potency and paving the way for potential innovations in healthcare, industry, and space exploration.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/study-reveals-new-secrets-on-why-blasting-this-microbe-with-radiation-wont-kill-it