The Curious Clinicians 118 - Extremophiles
Nov 12, 2025
This discussion dives into the extraordinary bacterial species Deinococcus radiodurans, renowned for its extreme radiation resistance. It highlights its remarkable DNA repair mechanisms, including multiple genome copies that act as backups. The conversation also explores the evolutionary aspects of its resilience, linking it to potential life beyond Earth. Lastly, it touches on the implications of extremophiles in astrobiology and the risks of bio-contamination when exploring other planets.
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Exceptional DNA Repair Machinery
- Deinococcus radiodurans' core superpower is exceptionally efficient and accurate DNA repair of double-strand breaks.
- This DNA repair capacity underlies its extreme radioresistance far beyond human tolerance.
Discovery In Canned Meat
- Deinococcus radiodurans was first isolated from canned meat sterilized with high-dose radiation in 1956.
- Researchers discovered it survived the sterilization process, prompting study of its extreme resilience.
Genome Redundancy Enables Reliable Repair
- Deinococcus carries multiple genome copies (at least four) providing redundant templates for repair after damage.
- These extra copies let the bacterium accurately rebuild damaged regions using intact templates.
