Sarah Wallace, Matt Ford, ScienceGoGo and Jason Stajich comment on the fungus that gets its energy from radiation. I've heard of Deinococcus radiodurans before, but this is a fungus! Well, if there is an energy source to tap into, even if it is in the middle of Chernobyl, some life form is likely to find a way to do it.
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I am the Online Community Manager at PLoS-ONE (Public Library of Science). My scientific specialty is chronobiology (circadian rhythms and photoperiodism), with additional interests in comparative physiology, animal behavior and evolution. I am not an MD so I cannot diagnose and treat your sleep problems. This is a personal blog and opinions within in no way reflect the policies of PLoS. You can contact me at: Coturnix@gmail.com
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Fungus eats radiation for breakfast at Chernobyl!
Category: Ecology • Evolution • Physiology
Posted on: September 24, 2007 1:54 PM, by Coturnix
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Life Science
Comments
Do you perhaps mean Deinococcus radiodurans which is extremely resistant to radiation (and desiccation, extreme heat & cold, and acid) but does not necessarily metabolize the radiation.
Posted by: Jason | September 24, 2007 4:13 PM
Yes - post in haste....thanks for the correction.
Posted by: Coturnix | September 24, 2007 4:17 PM
All this makes me wonder what kind of interesting biology was going on back when there was enough uranium-235 in the Earth for natural fission reactors to be operating.
Posted by: andy | September 24, 2007 6:34 PM
You just blew my mind.
Natural nuclear reactors... radiosynthesis... MY HEAD ASPLODE!
Posted by: Siamang | September 24, 2007 7:40 PM