Study finds microbes that feed on radiation waves for breakfast

Radiation and radioactive elements emit a spectrum of ionizing emission that are harmful to humans. But luckily, to reduce the impact on us, environmental microbes now possess the biophysical and biochemical defenses that feed on these radiation. This method of microbes removing or feeding on radioactive waste is called bioreduction and here microbes use reduction to precipitate radioactive elements like uranium and plutonium
A new study published by the researchers from Northwestern University and Uniformed Services University in the US finds a microbe that lives by consuming radiation. A detailed study was done and the study claimed that the microbe Deinococcus Radiodurans can handle doses of radiation that could actually kill humans. The microbe is nicknamed the Bacterium.
Microbes that can survive with radiation or radioactive elements has become a fascinating area of research off late in the field of microbiology. These microbes mostly live in conditions that are lethal to life forms. The Deinococcus Radiodurans are known for its extreme resistance to ionizing radiation and they can take up to 5,000 Gy, which is 1,000 times more than the radiation passed that could kill humans.



Microbes are microorganisms that exist in every environment. These microbes that are living on radioactive waves could only be used to bioremediate radioactive waste. These radiative microbes have the ability to withstand extreme radiation and even can be used as potential models to create life-support systems for life on Mars.

The study that was conducted found that the bacterium handles a lot of radiation and it receives the kind of variation that will shred human cells. This study made a discovery that could protect astronauts who are entering space.

The synthetic antioxidant in his microbe has a complex molecular structure and it shields the cells in the human body from radiation damage.The findings could open pathways to practical radioprotective solutions for both space missions and radiation emergencies here on Earth.
Apart from Deinococcus Radiodurans, other microbes that are extremophiles and withstand any condition are Radiotrophic Fungi and Thermococcus gammatolerans.