Scientists Develop Synthetic Antioxidant Inspired by Radiation-Resistant Bacterium

The breakthrough mimics Deinococcus radiodurans' unique molecular defenses, offering potential applications in space exploration, medicine, and radiation protection.

Researchers have identified the molecular mechanism behind Deinococcus radiodurans' extreme resistance to radiation, centered on a manganese-based antioxidant complex.
The bacterium, nicknamed 'Conan the Bacterium,' can survive radiation doses thousands of times higher than lethal levels for humans.
A synthetic antioxidant, termed MDP, has been developed by combining manganese ions, phosphate, and a peptide, significantly enhancing radiation protection capabilities.
Potential applications for MDP include shielding astronauts from cosmic radiation, developing radiation-inactivated vaccines, and advancing emergency radiation treatments.
The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, represent a major step toward designing advanced radioprotective technologies for healthcare, defense, and space missions.