Conan The Bacterium's Superpower: Resisting Radiation

13/12/2024 8 min Episodio 1184
Conan The Bacterium's Superpower: Resisting Radiation

Listen "Conan The Bacterium's Superpower: Resisting Radiation"

Episode Synopsis

In the 1950s, scientists exposed a tin of meat to a dose of radiation that they expected would kill all forms of life. But one organism defied the odds and lived: Conan The Bacterium. Turns out this microorganism, known to science as Deinococcus radiodurans, is capable of surviving extreme levels of radiation — thousands of times the amount that would kill a human. So what's Conan's secret?Want more stories about the microbial world? Let us know by emailing us at [email protected]!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy