New bacteria strain aboard Tiangong could boost space research
Scientists have discovered a new strain of bacteria aboard the Chinese space station Tiangong. The strain, named Niallia tiangongensis, may prove significant for future space missions.
A new strain, named Niallia tiangongensis, has been identified on the Chinese space station Tiangong. This 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 17th May 2025 in the "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 programme, which monitors microbiological changes in the enclosed space environment. This discovery may have far-reaching consequences for research into microorganisms' resilience in extreme conditions.
The team of astronauts collected samples from various station surfaces using sterile wipes. These samples were then frozen and transported to Earth, where they underwent genetic and metabolic analysis. The new strain belongs to the genus Niallia, known for its presence in soil and the digestive tracts of humans and animals.
Potential applications
Niallia tiangongensis might become an intriguing subject of research concerning applications in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. Understanding how microorganisms adapt to space conditions can aid in developing microbiological control methods on spacecraft.
The Chinese Manned Space Agency stresses that the research on Tiangong could provide groundbreaking data on microorganism activity in microgravity, along with changes in their gene expression and metabolism. This knowledge may also have practical applications on Earth.
