Long-lived forms of microbes have been found on the ISS

Researchers at the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMBP RAS) have studied bacteria that were found in the triol fluid in the thermoregulation system of the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS).

The bacteria turned out to be the longest-lived studied organisms of all those that have lived on artificial space objects. They got into the thermoregulation system when the space station was put into operation.

"The analysis revealed endospores. This is a protective form that bacteria take under unfavorable external conditions. In this form, they can persist for a long time. Perhaps the ability to form spores allowed the bacteria to survive in the aggressive environment in the triole on the ISS. In laboratory conditions, the bacteria were activated, which confirmed their viability," - said "Izvestia" researcher of the laboratory "Microbiology of habitat and antimicrobial defense" IMBP RAS Alexander Guridov.

According to the scientist, bacteria during the flight could adapt to the extreme factors of space. Therefore, the strains will be useful as model lines when studying the possibility of existence of organisms in space.

Read more in the exclusive material "Izvestia":

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