Eminent astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar said on Tuesday that the focus next would be on determining the origin as well as the nuclear
characteristics of the three new species of bacteria, which have been discovered during balloon experiments in the upper stratosphere by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).
The discovery was announced in Bangalore on Monday by Isro, which
has been carrying out the balloon experiments since 2001 as part of its quest to explore the origin of life. As principal investigator, Narlikar headed the team of scientists from Isro as well as biology experts from leading research labs like the National Centre for Cell Sciences, Pune and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad.
The new bacteria, which are highly resistant to ultra-violet (UV) radiation, have been named ‘Janibacter hoylei’, after the distinguished astrophysicist Fred Hoyle; ‘Bacillus isronensis’, in recognition of Isro’s contribution which led to its discovery; and Bacillus aryabhat, after India’s celebrated ancient astronomer Aryabhata.
“Our purpose behind the present experiment was to look for microorganisms
at a height several kilometres above the earth’s surface,” Narlikar said, adding, “We succeeded in doing so at a height of 41 km, which is the maximum height the balloon could go.” “We now have an interesting situation in that the new bacteria found are resistant to UV radiation, compared to the bacteria that exist on the earth,” he said. “This leads us to the next mission to see whether the new bacteria came from outside earth or got tossed up from the earth,” he added.
source : www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Next-to-find-origin-of-new-bacteria/articleshow/4279221.cms
characteristics of the three new species of bacteria, which have been discovered during balloon experiments in the upper stratosphere by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).
The discovery was announced in Bangalore on Monday by Isro, which
has been carrying out the balloon experiments since 2001 as part of its quest to explore the origin of life. As principal investigator, Narlikar headed the team of scientists from Isro as well as biology experts from leading research labs like the National Centre for Cell Sciences, Pune and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad.The new bacteria, which are highly resistant to ultra-violet (UV) radiation, have been named ‘Janibacter hoylei’, after the distinguished astrophysicist Fred Hoyle; ‘Bacillus isronensis’, in recognition of Isro’s contribution which led to its discovery; and Bacillus aryabhat, after India’s celebrated ancient astronomer Aryabhata.
“Our purpose behind the present experiment was to look for microorganisms
at a height several kilometres above the earth’s surface,” Narlikar said, adding, “We succeeded in doing so at a height of 41 km, which is the maximum height the balloon could go.” “We now have an interesting situation in that the new bacteria found are resistant to UV radiation, compared to the bacteria that exist on the earth,” he said. “This leads us to the next mission to see whether the new bacteria came from outside earth or got tossed up from the earth,” he added.
source : www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Next-to-find-origin-of-new-bacteria/articleshow/4279221.cms
