A new microbial strain discovered on China's Tiangong space station has demonstrated remarkable adaptability to the extreme conditions of space, making it a standout discovery aboard the China space station.
The discovery marks the first time that a previously unknown species has been reported from China's orbiting space laboratory.
Described in a peer-reviewed paper in the academic journal International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, the strain, officially named Niallia tiangongensis, has evolved specialized survival strategies uniquely suited for the space environment.
Its ability to regulate the biosynthesis of bacillithiol allows it to effectively combat oxidative stress, maintaining cellular redox balance and steady growth even under extreme conditions. Additionally, its unique biofilm-forming capacity and radiation damage repair mechanisms further underscore its ability to adapt to the space environment.
Chinese astronauts stationed at China's space station regularly carry out microbial sampling of air, surfaces, and water dispenser outlets to monitor the space station's environmental health.
According to the China Manned Space Agency, China's space station is currently conducting research in the field of space microbial corrosion. A scientific experiment device developed by the research team to study microbe-material interactions has already been used in multiple rounds of experiments. These include tests on how aspergillus niger (black mold) affects various materials such as polyurethane-coated circuit boards, bare copper boards, and heat-shrink tubing, helping to deepen understanding of microbial corrosion in space environment.
Newly discovered microbial species shows exceptional adaptability to space environment
Three companies in northeast China's Jilin Province offer real examples of China's new industrial transformation strategy by pushing more small and medium-sized enterprises to become " little giants" that engage in manufacturing, specializing in a niche market, and boasting cutting-edge technologies.
The three companies - Haoyue Group, a beef farmer; Anrate, a human albumin producer; Changyou Food, a pancake maker -- share their common streak of persistence in their core competence, innovation, and embracing new technologies.
China has incubated 12,000 such "little giants" and plans to cultivate 10,000 such "little giants" during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).
Inside Haoyue Group's cattle breeding facility in Changchun City, the clean barns, soothing classical music, and even massage machines create a scene more like a smart factory than a ranch. The company is famous for its flagship breed, Woking Wagyu.
"We spent more than 30 years developing Woking Wagyu, a high-end beef breed that rivals Japanese Wagyu. Today, each head of cattle generates over 20,000 U.S. dollars in value, making one cow worth more than a car," said Wang Weize, marketing director of Haoyue Group.
With its premium breeds and scientific farming, Haoyue beef is certified in 27 countries, positioning it among China's largest beef exporters.
In Tonghua City, another "little giant" is tackling biotech's hardest challenge: producing human albumin without human blood.
Traditionally derived from human plasma, albumin faces global shortages and safety risks. Anrate's breakthrough not only closes that gap but also pushes precision biotech into international markets.
"We use yeast expression systems to produce high-purity albumin. It's safer, scalable, and cost-effective. In 2024, we became the world's first company to receive market approval for recombinant albumin, starting with Russia," said Yang Tao, executive vice president of Anrate.
Meanwhile, in Dunhua City, innovation takes a tastier turn. Changyou Food is flipping the script on a beloved Chinese street snack, pancakes.
With pharmaceutical-grade production lines and strict fermentation protocols, these pancakes are being exported to 16 countries.
"After our brand became well-known, some wanted to use our trademark for desserts and pastries. But we said no. We're dedicated to making pancakes. I wanted to break the stereotype that pancakes are unsophisticated, and make a healthy food people actually feel proud to eat," said Chen Changyou, founder of Changyou Food.
According to a recent circular jointly issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China will scale up support for "little giants" during 2024-2026, focusing on key industrial chains, strategic emerging industries, and other sectors.
Special funds will be used to encourage these firms to tackle technological challenges, develop new products, build up the supporting capacities of the industrial chain, and support local governments in nurturing "little giants".
Three "little giant" firms in Jilin exemplify China's industrial upgrade strategy
