NASA Finds 26 New Microbes in Sterile Cleanrooms

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NASA scientists found 26 unknown bacterial species living in the "sterile" rooms where spacecraft are built.

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These tough microbes were discovered in the same facility where the Phoenix Mars Lander was assembled before its 2007 launch to the Red Planet.

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How did they survive? Scientists found these bacteria have special DNA repair systems that fix damage from radiation and harsh chemicals.

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Out of 215 bacterial strains analyzed, 53 belonged to species never seen before. These aren't your average germs!

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Could these "super-bacteria" hitchhike to Mars? Scientists worry they might contaminate other planets or be mistaken for alien life.

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"This effort is pivotal for monitoring the risk of microbial contamination," says microbiologist Alexandre Rosado from KAUST.

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NASA is now upgrading its clean room procedures. But there's a surprising twist to this discovery.

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These tough microbes might actually help humans! Their survival genes could create stronger antibiotics and better food preservation.

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"These genes could be engineered for applications in medicine, food preservation and other industries," explains researcher Junia Schultz.

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The findings, published May 12, 2025, show that life adapts to even our most controlled environments. What else might we discover?

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