Chinese researchers have identified a novel microbial strain discovered on the Tiangong Space Station, marking the first time that a previously unknown species has been reported from the country's orbiting space laboratory, the China Manned Space Agency announced on Friday.
The strain, officially named Niallia tiangongensis, was described in a peer-reviewed paper in the academic journal International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.
This discovery was made possible through the space station's engineering and aerospace technology experimental program, in which the research team focused on the dynamic changes and safety control of environmental microbes during the long-term operation of the space station.
In May 2023, the Shenzhou-15 astronauts collected microbial samples from the cabin surfaces inside the space station. The samples were stored at low temperatures and later brought back to Earth for analysis.
Through morphological observation, genome sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and metabolic profiling, researchers confirmed the presence of this new microbial species and that it belongs to the genus Niallia within the family Cytobacillaceae, but is genetically distinct from its closest terrestrial relatives.
Laboratory tests show the Gram-positive, aerobic, spore-forming, rod-shaped strain exhibits structural and functional differences in two types of proteins, which may enhance biofilm formation, oxidative stress response and radiation damage repair, supporting its survival in the space environment.
New microbe discovered on Tiangong Space Station
New microbe discovered on Tiangong Space Station
New microbe discovered on Tiangong Space Station
