By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-11-02 06:03:07 | Updated at 2024-11-02 08:39:20
2 hours ago
A microscopic creature, known as the most diehard animal on Earth, could hold the key to how humans can survive in extreme environments – including space.
Water bears – or tardigrades – which are no more than 1mm in length, have long been known for their high resistance to radiation. Now Chinese researchers have identified the genes that give them these radiation-resisting powers.
And their discovery could have far-reaching implications – from space travel to cancer treatment.
“The discovery of the anti-radiation mechanism of tardigrades has broad practical application prospects, involving medicine, space exploration, environmental protection, biotechnology, agriculture and other fields,” said Zhang Lingqiang, a researcher with the Beijing Institute of Lifeomics and co-author of a paper published in the peer reviewed journal Science on October 25.
“The anti-radiation mechanism of tardigrades may provide inspiration for the development of new space radiation protection materials to protect astronauts from radiation damage.”
Tardigrades – also known as water bears or moss piglets – are a group of eight-legged microorganisms found almost everywhere on Earth, including Antarctica and the bottom of the ocean.
