S2 Ep2252: ECKERD COLLEGE NEWS Tiny Earthlings Uncover Bacteria That May Have Visited Mars

In this episode of ECKERD COLLEGE NEWS, host Nanette Wiser shares some campus research from the Eckerd College News team.  This podcast is excerpted from Eckerd’s ‘Tiny Earthlings’ uncover bacteria in the Palm Hammock that may have visited Mars by Nathan March. 
The spacefaring bacteria were discovered over the course of four weeks in Professor of Biology Steve Denison, Ph.D’s microbiology lab. The class contributes findings to Tiny Earth®, a Wisconsin-based research project with affiliates on campuses across the nation that crowdsources the search for new antibiotics. Bacillus safensis gained notoriety over two decades ago after being found on spacecraft surfaces and in assembly cleanrooms at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. The bacteria showed an ability to survive in an environment almost completely bereft of airborne particles. It also demonstrated resistance to UV radiation and salt. This means there is a significant chance it survived on the Mars rovers Opportunity and Spirit during their journey to the fourth planet from the sun.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Photo courtesy of Eckerd College:  Colbin Campbell and Allen Chen prepare diluted soil sample for examination under a microscope.

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