Overview
- Researchers report in Microbiology Spectrum that dehydration drove Tersicoccus phoenicis into dormancy within 48 hours, where it stayed at least seven days even after nutrients were added.
- Exposing the bacterium to a specific protein restored biological activity, confirming the cells were viable despite appearing inactive.
- The organism does not form spores yet endures harsh conditions through metabolic shutdown, challenging long‑held assumptions about microbial resilience.
- The bacterium was first isolated in NASA and ESA spacecraft assembly clean rooms and is rarely detected elsewhere, leading researchers to consider possible adaptation to those environments.
- Experts say dormant persistence could allow survival on spacecraft surfaces or during cruise, though direct exposure on the Martian surface is considered unlikely, underscoring the need to update detection and cleaning protocols.