3 ms·
'Conan the Bacterium' is radiation-resistant for a surprising reason
- DarkmSparks 2y agoReal life RadAway.... Something seems wrong here though, I don't see don't any explanation for the mechansim of action.
- gilleain 2y agoFrom the abstract of the paper, the mechanism for radioprotection is the antioxidant properties of this particular mixture of Mg, orthophosphate, and this short peptide. "Mn2+ coordinated by orthophosphate (Pi), metabolites, or peptides acts as a superoxide dismutase (SOD), and these Mn antioxidant complexes are universally accumulated in extremely radiation-resistant cell types across the tree of life." However, the paper is really just studying the chemical properties of the mixture to understand why it works as a better antioxidant than just Mg+Pi
- zihotki 2y ago.. due to an antioxidant. More research is needed.
- ignoramous 2y agoPrevious research has shown that Deinococcus, known as the most radiant-resistant life-form in the Guinness World Records, can survive outside of the International Space Station for three years. The hardy bacteria can also withstand acid, cold, and dehydration. I cynically suspect if there's more research, it will be to engineer bio weapons.
- ozgune 2y agoI can't help but upvote this article just because of the bacteria's name.
- mharig 2y ago[dead]
- djoldman 2y agoJournal article: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2417389121 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2417389121
- mromanuk 2y ago> When dried and frozen, Deinococcus radiodurans could survive 140,000 grays, or units of X-and gamma-ray radiation, which is 28,000 times greater than the amount of radiation that could kill a person. I would love also if they called it Hulk the Bacterium