Synthetic antioxidant inspired by radiation-resistant bacteria offers new hope

Drawing inspiration from Deinococcus radiodurans, a bacterium renowned for surviving extreme radiation, scientists have developed a synthetic antioxidant that could shield humans from ionising radiation.

Dubbed "Conan the Bacterium," this microorganism can endure radiation levels thousands of times higher than what humans can tolerate. Researchers have uncovered that its remarkable resilience stems from a combination of a robust cell wall, efficient DNA repair systems, and antioxidants capable of neutralising damaging free radicals.

A team led by geneticist Michael Daly at the Uniformed Services University in Maryland has created a lab-engineered antioxidant called manganese-dependent peptide (MDP). This compound mimics the bacterium's natural defenses against radiation damage. Daly explained that ionising radiation, such as gamma rays and cosmic radiation, can severely harm DNA, proteins, and cellular structures, posing significant risks to humans.

The MDP complex combines manganese ions, phosphate ions, and a peptide designed to mirror the amino acids found in D. radiodurans. Co-researcher Brian Hoffman, a chemistry professor at Northwestern University, described how these components interact to form a potent compound. This synthetic antioxidant was shown to withstand radiation doses more than 12,000 times higher than what is lethal for humans.

The potential uses for this antioxidant are vast. Daly highlighted its potential to protect astronauts on Mars missions, where prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation is a critical challenge. On Earth, MDP could be employed to treat acute radiation syndrome and mitigate the effects of metabolic ageing.

Although further testing is required to confirm its safety and effectiveness for humans, the research marks a significant step forward. The team is working on refining the structure of MDP to enhance its properties and broaden its practical applications in health care and beyond.