Magazine Article

Extreme Ionizing-Radiation-Resistant Bacterium

TBMG-15691

02/01/2013

Abstract
Content

There is a growing concern that desiccation and extreme radiation-resistant, non-spore-forming microorganisms associated with spacecraft surfaces can withstand space environmental conditions and subsequent proliferation on another solar body. Such forward contamination would jeopardize future life detection or sample return technologies. The prime focus of NASA’s planetary protection efforts is the development of strategies for inactivating resistance-bearing microorganisms. Eradication techniques can be designed to target resistance-conferring microbial populations by first identifying and understanding their physiologic and biochemical capabilities that confers its elevated tolerance (as is being studied in Deinococcus phoenicis, as a result of this description). Furthermore, hospitals, food, and government agencies frequently use biological indicators to ensure the efficacy of a wide range of radiation-based sterilization processes. Due to their resistance to a variety of perturbations, the non-spore forming D. phoenicis may be a more appropriate biological indicator than those currently in use.

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Citation
"Extreme Ionizing-Radiation-Resistant Bacterium," Mobility Engineering, February 1, 2013.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Feb 1, 2013
Product Code
TBMG-15691
Content Type
Magazine Article
Language
English