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Deinococcus radiodurans was first discovered in 1956 in a can of ground meat that had been treated with large doses of radiation to remove all hazardous bacteria from the product (DeWeerdt 2002,Ruder 2004). Since its discovery, it has been deemed the toughest bacterium in the world. Not only can it withstand and repair DNA damages after extreme amounts of ionizing and UV radiation, but it can survive drought conditions and grow in nutrient poor environments. Cells are electrophiles and chemoorganotrophic (Darling 2007). Its specific abilities make it one of the most interesting bacteria in science today because studying and understanding its mechanisms can lead to nuclear waste pick up and medical uses associated with cancer.


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Brad McDonough

Source: Nasonia Symbiont Database

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