In NASA's pristine cleanrooms, where spacecraft are meticulously sterilized, a tenacious bacterium called bacillus pumilus he fought and won against death. To be precise: he not only survived the thorough “scientific cleaning,” but he thrived.
Little did scientists imagine that this stubborn microbe would one day revolutionize the sunscreen industry. And today it offers a new level of protection against the sun's harmful rays.
The discovery of the superbug
The story begins 25 years ago, on the threshold of 2000, when a strain of bacillus pumilus it was first isolated in NASA's cleanrooms. This environment, designed to eliminate any form of microbiological contamination, represents one of the most hostile conditions for the survival of bacteria. Except him.
If that bacteria was eliminated, it was determined that that sterile room was as sanitized as possible.
Dan Lockney, NASA
How do you explain Dan Lockney, responsible for NASA's technology transfer program, was the beginning of a small revolution. Since then, the US space agency's sterilization methods have improved greatly. In other words, the bacillus pumilus it has become the yardstick for the cleanliness of space environments.
That discovery led to a specimen being sent to the ISS, where astronauts hung it outside the laboratory 400 kilometers (250 miles) above Earth to see what would happen. Well, when the champion returned many spores were still alive , even after 18 months of exposure to cosmic radiation.
A place in the sun for bacillus pumilus
25 years later, the "space" bacterium now has a new career.
A Massachusetts company just started using the bacillus pumilus for the production of a new ingredient for sun protection, taking advantage of its exceptional resistance to UV rays.
This is a significant breakthrough in the field of skin care. Until now, sunscreens have relied on chemical or mineral ingredients to block UV rays, but none of these offered complete, long-lasting protection. The bacillus pumilus, with its ability to survive the most extreme conditions, could represent the key to a new generation of more effective and safe sun products. In the face of those who say that space research (including those in "terrestrial" laboratories) do not lead to anything.
An unexpected ally against the sun
But how resistant is, in the end, the bacillus pumilus? Much. Very, very much. This bacterium is able to withstand levels of radiation that would be lethal to most living organisms, thanks to a complex DNA repair system and a thick cell wall that acts as a kind of natural armor.
Unique characteristics, which make it an ideal candidate. By incorporating extracts or components of this bacterium into formulations, researchers hope to produce sunscreens with more complete and long-lasting protection, while reducing the risk of side effects.
Research is already underway for its application in other products in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields.
