Why a Bacteria Can Withstand Radiation Which Would Kill a Human (cnn.com) 7
Long-time Slashdot reader smooth wombat writes: Scientist have unlocked the secret to a bacteria dubbed 'Conan the Bacterium' which is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most radiant-resistant life-form. Deinococcus radiodurans can withstand radiation doses 28,000 times greater than that which would kill a human [and every other organism]. In addition, this bacteria can survive on the outside of the International Space Station for three years. It can also withstand acid, cold, and dehydration (a D&D player's worst nightmare). All of this protection comes down to a unique antioxidant.
The antioxidant is formed by a simple group of small molecules called metabolites, including manganese, phosphate and a small peptide, or molecule, of amino acids.
CNN reports: The antioxidant is formed by a simple group of small molecules called metabolites, including manganese, phosphate and a small peptide, or molecule, of amino acids. Together, this powerful trilogy is more effective in protecting against radiation than manganese combined with just one of the other components, according to a new study published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The findings could be used to protect astronauts from high doses of cosmic radiation on future deep-space missions across our solar system, according to the study authors.
âoeWeâ(TM)ve long known that manganese ions and phosphate together make a strong antioxidant, but discovering and understanding the âmagicâ(TM) potency provided by the addition of the third component is a breakthrough," said study coauthor Brian Hoffman, the Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor of Chemistry and professor of molecular biosciences at Northwestern Universityâ(TM)s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, in a statement...
On Earth, the antioxidant could be used for protection against accidents that release radiation.
The antioxidant is formed by a simple group of small molecules called metabolites, including manganese, phosphate and a small peptide, or molecule, of amino acids.
CNN reports: The antioxidant is formed by a simple group of small molecules called metabolites, including manganese, phosphate and a small peptide, or molecule, of amino acids. Together, this powerful trilogy is more effective in protecting against radiation than manganese combined with just one of the other components, according to a new study published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The findings could be used to protect astronauts from high doses of cosmic radiation on future deep-space missions across our solar system, according to the study authors.
âoeWeâ(TM)ve long known that manganese ions and phosphate together make a strong antioxidant, but discovering and understanding the âmagicâ(TM) potency provided by the addition of the third component is a breakthrough," said study coauthor Brian Hoffman, the Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor of Chemistry and professor of molecular biosciences at Northwestern Universityâ(TM)s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, in a statement...
On Earth, the antioxidant could be used for protection against accidents that release radiation.
RadAway (Score:2)
a supplement? (Score:2)
"manganese, phosphate and a small peptide, or molecule, of amino acids"
So the astronauts are going to eat some supplements and that will protect them from cosmic radiation?
Re: (Score:2)
We could genetically engineer their gut bacteria to constantly produce it. And while that sounds like a super dangerous and irresponsible way to go, it's much cooler than taking some gross supplements.
Re: (Score:2)
No it has to be inside the cell, which means the best way to get it is to genetically engineer the astronauts themselves .. or give it to them temporarily as an RNA vaccine.
Re: (Score:2)
So the astronauts are going to eat some supplements and that will protect them from cosmic radiation?
For longer space trips, they should probably buy the Costco-sized bottle.
Bacterium (Score:2)
Editors, bacteria is plural. I think you mean [a species of bacteria] if you must. The singular is [bacterium], but that tends to indicate a single organism.