Chinese Scientists Discover a Novel Microbial Species | China Space Station
Chinese researchers have identified a novel microbial strain discovered on the Tiangong Space Station, marking the first time that a previously unknown species has been reported from the country's orbiting space laboratory, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced on Friday, May 16, 2025. Microbes are among the oldest and most diverse forms of life on Earth. A novel microbial species refers to one that has never been previously discovered, studied or named by humans.
The strain, officially named Niallia tiangongensis, was described in a peer-reviewed paper in the peer-reviewed academic journal International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. The strain is a new variant of a previously known terrestrial bacteria and was found on a cabin in the space station.
Niallia tiangongensis excels at adapting to the space environment. Firstly, the species has an exceptional ability to withstand stress. It regulates the biosynthesis of bacillithiol to effectively manage oxidative stress in space. This mechanism maintains cellular redox balance, allowing the microbe to grow robustly under extreme conditions. Secondly, Niallia tiangongensis exhibits unique traits in biofilm formation and radiation damage repair.
This discovery was made possible through the space station's engineering and aerospace technology experimental program, called China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Program (CHAMP). The discovery was announced by researchers from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering. The research team focused on the dynamic changes and safety control of environmental microbes during the long-term operation of the space station.
In May 2023, the Shenzhou-15 astronauts collected microbial samples from the cabin surfaces inside the space station. The samples were stored at low temperatures and later brought back to Earth for analysis.
Through morphological observation, genome sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and metabolic profiling, researchers confirmed the presence of this new microbial species and that it belongs to the genus Niallia within the family Cytobacillaceae, but is genetically distinct from its closest terrestrial relatives.
Laboratory tests show the Gram-positive, aerobic, spore-forming, rod-shaped strain exhibits structural and functional differences in two types of proteins that may enhance biofilm formation, oxidative stress response and radiation damage repair, supporting its survival in the space environment.
Niallia tiangongensis's survival strategies offer groundbreaking insights for researchers. Its mechanisms for adapting to space conditions can help design targeted microbial control strategies, providing precise intervention ideas for fields such as aerospace, agriculture, industry and medicine. Additionally, its ability to utilize certain organic compounds opens new possibilities for the sustainable use of these substances.
As the space station continues its long-term operations, ongoing studies of microbial active substances, genetic resources and metabolic functions are expected to produce significant results, bringing new opportunities for scientific research and practical applications on Earth.
The paper said it was “essential” to understand the characteristics of microbes during long-term space missions to safeguard the health of astronauts and maintain the functionality of spacecraft.
The authors added that this new strain had ingenious mechanisms for adapting to the extreme space environment—a discovery that could have many real-life implications.
For instance, the strain had a better ability to combat oxidative stress—a condition that leads to cell and tissue damage due to an imbalance in the body—and reverse radiation-induced damage, according to the study.
Decoding its survival mechanism could help scientists design precise and targeted control strategies for microbes—and this could then be used in a number of sectors, including space technology, agriculture and medicine.
The China Manned Space Agency said Tiangong’s operations would produce a “bumper harvest” of research relating to the active substances, genetic resources and metabolic functions of microbes, and that insights gained in orbit could lead to new applications on Earth.
Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 1 minute, 18 seconds
Release Date: May 17, 2025
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