Electric Countdown Tells Sleeping Spores When to Wake Up
Do sleeping spores dream of electric sheep?
Source: scientificamerican.com
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Do sleeping spores dream of electric sheep?
New research suggests a tough bacteria called D. radiodurans could long withstand harsh martian radiation in a state of stasis under the surface.
This is important both for our search for life, and for potential contamination of the Red Planet.
Bacterial cells shut down and become spores to survive harsh environments. An internal countdown signals when it’s safe for bacteria to revive.