The Biological Survival Mechanisms Behind the World’s Most Radioresistant Bacterium

Deinococcus radiodurans is an extremely radioresistant bacterium that has captured the interest of researchers in pursuit of innovations in radioresistant technology and potential applications for bioremediation. The following paper provides an overview of the bacterium’s unique biological mechanisms that enable it to maintain such resilience to ionizing radiation. Genetic redundancies and genomic copies play a considerable role in withstanding radiation-induced mutations and DNA damage. Similarly, antioxidant systems, including both enzymatic and non-enzymatic ones, counteract the effects of radiation by removing radiation-induced reactive oxygen species that harm the bacterium’s proteome and genome. Lastly, highly efficient DNA repair mechanisms ensure a speedy recovery from DNA damage.