Breakthrough Study Reveals How 'Conan the Bacterium' Survives Extreme Radiation, Implications for Space Exploration

Show Full Summary
- Deinococcus radiodurans can survive radiation doses 28,000 times greater than lethal levels for humans.
- The combination of manganese, phosphate, and a peptide creates a powerful radioprotectant.
- Findings could protect astronauts from cosmic radiation on deep-space missions.
- Deinococcus can endure radiation levels of up to 140,000 grays.
- MDP is a synthetic antioxidant that mimics Deinococcus' protective qualities.
- Future research may reveal similar antioxidant mechanisms in other organisms.
The sources of this summary are listed below. Click to view.