Ba.teria with ‘unique abilities’ has mutated on space station into something never seen before on Earth
Chinese scientists have discovered a new bacteria strain, Niallia tiangongensis, aboard the Tiangong Space Station. The microbe, found on cockpit controls in 2023, demonstrates unique gelatin-digesting abilities that could help it survive nutrient-poor environments. While related to Earth’s Niallia circulans – known to cause serious infections – researchers note the space variant shows distinct mutations that may provide insights into microbial adaptation in orbit.
The discovery, published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, raises questions about whether the bacteria evolved in space or represents an unknown terrestrial species. Scientists emphasize further study is crucial to assess potential health risks for astronauts, especially after similar concerning mutations were observed in ISS bacteria last year. These findings highlight the need to understand microbial behavior in space environments to protect crew members on long-duration missions.
