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Hello Tuesday, hope everyone is having a good day. Well it's indestructible stuff day and today's stuff is Deinococcus Radiodurans.
Back in 1956 scientists were testing radiation as a way to kill germs in food and make it last longer. They zapped tins of meat with high-energy gamma rays, which did kill pretty much all of the bugs except for a common bacterium often found in food, soil and poo named Deinococcus Radiodurans.
Since ten this bacterium has turned out to be resistant to about 1000 times as much radiation as humans can endure. It also scoffs at strong acid, freezing temperatures, being dried out and being in a vacuum.
It holds the title of “world's toughest bacterium” and has been nicknamed “Conan the Bacterium” after the legendary, unstoppable comic book warrior, Conan the Barbarian.
Radiation is dangerous because it damages DNA, the chemical that controls living cells. Radio-resistant bacteria can survive because they have amazing ability to rebuild their own DNA.
One day we may be able to build this ability into our own cells.
This would be handy for astronauts who face high levels of radiation in space.
Where is Deinococcus Radiodurans found? I didn't know astronauts received radiation either. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. And horrifying that they want to zap literally everything out of our food so it lasts longer.
ReplyDeleteSo much for eating fresh.
Conan the Bacterium! Best laugh of the day!
ReplyDeleteDearest Jo-Anne,
ReplyDeleteYep, that sure is a tough bacterium among the bacteria family!
Microorganisms are quite a study for human beings to understand an to live with.
Hugs,
Mariette
I got a good laugh at “Conan the Bacterium,” but it sounds like it's a fitting name.
ReplyDeleteInteresting facts about Conan the Bacterium.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing info! Never knew that astronauts receive so much radiation! I wish Corona virus is never named as Conan the barbarian Virus. We think that 2020 has issues, seems like we have been playing with DNA from even before 1956.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting, always good to find out something I didn't know.
ReplyDeleteTake care.