Illustration by Midjourney.

Somewhere in the invisible world of microbes, a tiny bacterium has an astonishing superpower. Deinococcus radioduransaffectionately called by scientists as Conan the bacteriasurvives where almost no other life form can. It endures the kind of radiation that would shred human cells into molecular confetti. And now scientists believe they understand the secret behind its extraordinary resilience: a discovery that could one day protect astronauts venturing into the harsh conditions of space.


Chemists from Northwestern University and Uniformed Services University have unraveled how a synthetic antioxidant works, inspired by D. radiodurans. This antioxidant, called MDP, forms a complex molecular structure that protects cells from radiation damage. The findings could open pathways to practical radioprotective solutions for both space missions and radiation emergencies here on Earth.


A radiation shield made up of three simple ingredients


Image of D. radiodurans under the microscope
Deinococcus radiodurans, also called ‘Conan the Bacteria’ for its extraordinary ability to tolerate the harshest conditions, can withstand radiation doses thousands of times higher than what would kill a human. Credit: USU/Michael Daly.

MDP owes its power to a simple trio: manganese ions, phosphate and a synthetic peptide. Individually, each component provides minimal protection. But when they come together, they create a robust defense against the chaotic onslaught of radiation.


In essence, this three-part combination reflects what makes Deinococcus radiodurans a microbial miracle. The bacterium stores manganese antioxidants in its cells to ward off radiation damage. When scientists took this natural blueprint and built a synthetic MDP in the lab, they noticed how the components worked together to form a structure that was far more powerful than any single ingredient.


“The decapeptide works sequentially with phosphate and manganese to create a unique ternary complex,” explains Michael Daly, professor of pathology at Uniformed Services University. ZME science in an email.


Radiation versus proteins


For decades, scientists were adamant about radiation’s deadly effects: It killed cells by shattering their DNA. This dogma portrayed DNA damage as the main culprit in the destruction of biological cells by radiation. But DNA damage is only half of the picture. Research like this shows that radiation also targets fragile proteins that regulate the survival of a cell.


These proteins – collectively called the proteome – perform essential functions such as repairing DNA damage, maintaining cell structure and regulating metabolism. When radiation generates a storm of harmful molecules known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), proteins often bear the brunt of the attack. If they are damaged beyond repair, a cell cannot function, no matter how intact its DNA remains.


In the case of Deinococcus radioduransthis principle plays out in dramatic fashion. The bacterium withstands enormous doses of radiation because its proteins are protected by manganese-based antioxidants. These antioxidants, Daly and his colleagues discovered, neutralize ROS before they can wreak havoc on the proteome.



“A key challenge is convincing the scientific community to adopt a new paradigm of radiation toxicity: that cell death from radiation is primarily due to protein damage and not DNA damage. Research on Deinococci species has shown that the proteome is the critical target that influences survival under radiation stress. This shift in understanding highlights the importance of protecting cellular proteins to improve radiation resistance,” said Daly.


From Mars dreams to earthly protection







This discovery stems from a years-long collaboration between Hoffman and Daly, fueled by the mystery of how D. radiodurans tolerates conditions harsher than those on Mars. Daly, an expert on extremophiles, has long studied how these microbes might survive interplanetary travel or ancient Martian ice.


“My fascination with extremophiles started in childhood when I ordered ‘Sea Monkeys’ advertised in a comic book. These turned out to be desiccation-resistant brine shrimp, introducing me to organisms capable of surviving extreme conditions. This early experience led to a lifelong interest in studying resilient life forms,” Daly told me.


Their previous research has shown that D. radiodurans could survive a bewilderment 140,000 gray radiation when dried and frozen – a dose 28,000 times greater than what would kill a human. In their quest to decipher this resilience, they discovered that manganese antioxidants play a central role. More manganese means more resistance.


For Daly, the implications are clear. If bacteria can use manganese complexes to survive radiation, why can’t humans do the same? Especially in the treacherous environment of space, where cosmic rays relentlessly bombard spacecraft, this question has enormous significance.


“In space exploration, astronauts are exposed to chronic high-level ionizing radiation from cosmic rays and solar protons. MDP provides a simple, cost-effective, non-toxic and orally administered solution to reduce these radiation risks. For extended missions such as those to Mars that last more than a year, effective radio protection is crucial – a fact recognized by industry leaders,” said Daly.


He imagines a future where astronauts going to Mars could take radioprotective pills to keep them safe during their long journey. In this regard, the other implication is that there could also be native microbes on Mars lurking somewhere underground. If an Earthling can survive in a nuclear reactor, why couldn’t an alien microbe do the same on Mars? An astronaut on a mission to Mars could receive radiation doses up to 700 times higher than on our planet, but that would be a piece of cake for him. D. radiodurans or other similar organisms.


On Earth, MDP could have similarly crucial applications. It could protect first responders dealing with nuclear accidents or provide a way to develop “radioprophylactic agents” that use radiation-inactivated pathogens. Daly and colleagues from Duke University have already developed a candidate vaccine for preventing chlamydia infections using such an approach. Daly also noted the potential to slow the effects of aging, given the link between radiation damage and cell decay.


A strange twist of fate


The journey to this discovery was not easy. Hoffman, who specializes in spectroscopy, confessed that he entered this field somewhat by accident.


“I had no experience or even interest in the field, but was drawn into the study of manganese in living organisms by an old friend,” Hoffman said. Nevertheless, his expertise in Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy, a technique that allows scientists to observe manganese in intact cells, proved essential.


Hoffman was initially skeptical of MDP’s potential, but was surprised when its components combined to create something far greater than the sum of its parts. “It was a surprise to me to discover that the parts work together to form the ternary complex, and that this is ‘the secret sauce,’” he said. ZME science.


The implications of this work are enormous. From deep space travel to nuclear safety, the ability to protect cells from radiation damage is a game changer. Conan the bacteria may be microscopic, but its legacy could help humanity reach the stars – and actually survive the journey.


The findings appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.



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