Deinococcus Radiodurans “Strange Berry that Withstands Radiation”

Classification Clade: Actinomycate- D. radiodurans decomposes organic matter Strain: R1 Shape/Arrangement: Coccus- spherical Four cells stick together, forming a tetrad

Metabolism eXtremophilic Able to withstand harsh conditions such as cold, vacuum, dehydration and acid climates

Habitat D. radiodurans natural habitat is not yet know because it has only been discovered recently (1956) and little is known about the bacterium. Strains of this bacteria have grown from meat, soil and fecal matter.

Adaptations Polyextremophile- able to survive cold, vacuum, dehydration, and acid conditions It is also resistant to radiation, ultraviolet light, electrophilic agents, desiccation (extreme dryness) and oxidizing It does not form endospores Aerobic- uses oxygen for energy

Disease-Causing???? This bacteria does not cause disease and little is known about it because it is newly found

Gram-………?? The cell stain is gram - positive but its cell wall is similar to that of a gram - negative bacteria

FUNction and Impact on the Environment This bacteria has the ability to repair damaged DNA and small fragments from chromosomes by isolating damage segments in a concentrated area. This is because it has additional copies of its genome. Genes from other bacteria have been inserted into D. radiodurans for environmental clean up. Certain strains can be used to break down organic chemicals, solvents and heavy metals in radioactive waste sites.

WOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!!! The Guinness Book of World Records listed Deinococcus Radiodurans as “the world’s toughest bacterium.” D. radiodurans is able to withstand blasts of radiation thousands of times the force which will kill a human! In a laboratory setting a can of meat was exposed to radiation, thought to kill all life forms. The meat unexpectedly spoiled, and onto us, Deinococcus radiodurans was discovered.

Bibliography http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/07_02/deinococcus.shtml http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2008/arnold_meag/Phylogeny.htm http://nar.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/35/3/839 Angela St. Vrain