This plant can survive even if it loses 98% of its water. What's even more amazing is that it may even survive on Mars.

Recently, a research team from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences published an exciting research result in the journal The Innovation, revealing the amazing survival ability of the desert plant Syntrichia caninervis.

This seemingly insignificant little life may actually become a "capable assistant" for humans to colonize Mars!

This groundbreaking research not only refreshes our understanding of the limits of life, but also brings hope to humanity's future interstellar migration plans. Let us follow the footsteps of Chinese scientists and get to know this "green elf" from the driest corner of the earth.

This study was featured on the cover of the current issue of the magazine. Image source: Reference [2]

The wonderful world of Erythromyces dentata

In the extreme environment of the earth, life is growing tenaciously. The barren desert, dry and hot, miraculously gave birth to an extreme environment plant - Erythromyces serrulates.

Distribution of Erythromyces dentata. Image source: Reference [2]

If a green "carpet" suddenly appears in the seemingly lifeless desert sand, it is likely to be the biological soil crust (BSC), and Erythromyces dentata is one of the protagonists, forming a micro-ecosystem with other microorganisms to form an "oasis" in the desert.

Not only can the tooth-ribbed mosses maintain their own survival in the desert, they are also quietly changing the surrounding environment. They are like natural "sponges" that can absorb and store scarce water. At the same time, they are also "architects" in the desert, gluing loose sand grains together through secretions to increase soil stability. Even more amazing is that these small plants are also "nitrogen fertilizer plants" in the desert, which can fix "nitrogen" in the atmosphere and inject nutrients into the barren desert soil.

A community of Erythromyces serrulate in the Gurbantunggut Desert. Image source: Reference [2]

Survival "artist": the extreme adaptability of Erythromyces dentata

If the life process is likened to an art performance, then Erythromyces dentata can be called the "acrobatic master" of this performance, demonstrating a series of "thrilling" survival skills. Let's take a look at some of the unique skills of this "survival artist":

Dehydration Magic

If the human body loses 98% of its water, the consequences are unimaginable. However, Erythromyces dentata can tolerate more than 98% of its cells being dehydrated. At this time, the cells will quickly synthesize special sugars and proteins to form a protective film that wraps up important structures such as the cell nucleus, just like putting on an "anti-dehydration coat" for the cells. What's even more amazing is that it only needs a drop of water to "revive" within a few seconds and resume photosynthesis and other physiological activities.

Erythromyces dentata recovers quickly after dehydration. Image source: Reference [2]

Frozen Time Capsule

Can you imagine living in a -80℃ freezer, or being immersed in liquid nitrogen at -196℃ for a month? For Erythromyces serrulatus, this is not a problem! It can enter "hibernation" in such an extremely low temperature environment and wake up again when conditions are suitable. In general harsh environments, Erythromyces serrulatus can quickly adjust its metabolic state; in adverse environmental conditions, it can shut down most metabolic activities and concentrate its energy on maintaining basic survival.

Radiation protection clothing

In our world, 5000Gy of gamma radiation is enough to kill most organisms, but Erythromyces serrulatus can withstand more than 5000Gy of gamma radiation. In the face of strong radiation, Erythromyces serrulatus will produce a large number of antioxidants, such as carotenoids and flavonoids, which form a powerful antioxidant defense network, just like a "protective shield" for plant cells to ensure that they "stand firm" in the nuclear radiation storm. In addition, Erythromyces serrulatus also has an efficient DNA repair system that can quickly identify and repair damaged DNA, like a "DNA emergency team" on call 24 hours a day.

Mars Survival Show

What would happen if Erythromyces dentata was placed in a simulated environment on Mars? Faced with hypoxia, extreme dryness, low temperatures and strong ultraviolet radiation, this tiny organism showed amazing resilience. Not only could it survive, but it could also regenerate new plants, like a miniature "Mars special forces soldier" ready to "open up new territory" on the red planet at any time.

In addition, the genome of Erythromyces dentata also has super plasticity. It can quickly activate or inhibit the expression of certain genes according to environmental pressure. It is this expression flexibility that allows it to better adapt to various extreme environments.

The many amazing "abilities" of Erythromyces dentata. Image source: Reference [2]

Interstellar "pioneer": the extraterrestrial potential of Erythromyces dentata

When we turn our eyes to the vast universe and think about how humans can build homes on other planets, Erythromyces serrulata may become our "right-hand man". Its ability to survive in extreme environments makes it an ideal "interstellar pioneer".

Imagine that in an ecological cabin on the surface of Mars, a patch of Erythromyces is growing silently. Not only can they adapt to the harsh living environment, but they can also gradually change the surrounding soil structure, creating conditions for the growth of other plants, just like "green pioneers", paving the way for mankind's "immigration cause."

Erythromyces dentata may become a miniature "oxygen factory" on Mars. These tiny plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis, providing a valuable source of life for future Martian bases. At the same time, they can also fix carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and contribute to the transformation of the Martian atmosphere.

Erythromyces dentata may also become a "bioindicator" on Mars. By observing their growth, scientists can better understand the environmental characteristics of Mars and provide important references for subsequent life exploration and environmental transformation.

An experimental device used to simulate extraterrestrial environments. Image source: Reference [2]

The significance of studying Erythromyces dentata

Studying Erythromyces serrulates is not only of great significance to extraterrestrial exploration, but also has a profound impact on our understanding of the origin and evolution of life on Earth. It shows us the resilience and adaptability of life, and gives us a new understanding of the limits of possible biological existence. This research also provides inspiration for us to cope with the challenges of environmental change on Earth. For example, the unique drought resistance mechanism of Erythromyces serrulates can be applied to desertification control, and its ability to fix and improve the soil environment provides scientists with new ideas for cultivating drought-resistant crops.

Erythromyces dentata in dehydrated, hydrated, and frozen states (from left to right). Image source: Reference [2]

In addition, studying Erythromyces serrulates also provides us with a new perspective to explore the origin of life. Its extreme adaptability to the environment makes us think: the early earth environment may be worse than we imagined, but life can tenaciously sprout and evolve in such an extreme environment. As tiny as Erythromyces serrulates, even the most inconspicuous life may contain unexpected potential. Cherish life on Earth, and it is hard to say which organism will be discovered one day, and it may become a key link in promoting the future development of mankind.

We look forward to this "green elf" from the desert blossoming the miracle of life on a distant alien planet.

References

[1] Keith Cowing, The Extremotolerant Desert Moss Syntrichia caninervis Is A Promising Pioneer Plant For Colonizing Extraterrestrial Environments.

[2] Xiaoshuang Li et. al., The extremotolerant desert moss Syntrichia caninervis is a promising pioneer plant for colonizing extraterrestrial environments.

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Produced by Science Popularization China

Author: Guo Fei, Yantai University

Producer丨China Science Expo

Editor: Dong Nana

Proofread by Xu Lailinlin

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