New space bacteria discovery on Tiangong sparks scientific buzz
Scientists have discovered a new strain of bacteria on the Chinese space station Tiangong. The strain, named Niallia tiangongensis, may be significant for future space missions.
A new strain of bacteria, named Niallia tiangongensis, has been discovered on board the Chinese space station Tiangong. The discovery was made by scientists from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering. The research findings were published on May 17, 2025, in the journal "International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology."
The significance of the discovery for science
The new microorganism was collected in May 2023 during the Shenzhou-15 mission. Samples were gathered as part of the CHAMP program, which monitors microbiological changes in the enclosed space environment. The discovery could have far-reaching consequences for research on the resilience of microorganisms in extreme conditions.
The team of astronauts collected samples from various surfaces of the station using sterile wipes. These samples were then frozen and transported to Earth, where they underwent genetic and metabolic analysis. The new strain of bacteria belongs to the genus Niallia, known for its presence in soil and in the digestive tracts of humans and animals.
Potential applications
Niallia tiangongensis might be an intriguing subject of research with potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. Understanding how microorganisms adapt to space conditions can help in developing methods of microbiological control on spacecraft.
The Chinese Manned Space Agency emphasizes that research on Tiangong could provide groundbreaking data on the activity of microorganisms in microgravity, as well as changes in their gene expression and metabolism. This knowledge may also have practical applications on Earth.
