Deinococcus radiodurans

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Scientific classification
Kingdom: Bacteria Phylum: Deinococcus-Thermus Class: Deinococci Order: Deinococcales Family: Deinococcaceae Genus: Deinococcus Species: radiodurans
Binomial name
Deinococcus radiodurans

Description and significance

Deinococcus radiodurans, meaning "strange berry that withstands radiation", is a Gram-positive aerobic bacteria classified as a member of the family Deinococcaceae. Forming reddish-pink colonies, the bacterium take the diplococci form (clusters of two cells) in early growth stages and the tetracocci form (clusters of four cells) in later stages of growth. Nicknamed, "superbug" and "Conan the Bacterium" (by Guinness World Book or Records), D. radiodurans is the most radiation-resistant vegetative cell, resisting radiation in the megarad range. Like many great discoveries, D. radiodurans was discovered accidentally in 1956 by Arthur W. Anderson during a laboratory experiment at the Oregon Agriculture Experiment Station (Corvalis, Oregon, US). While seeking new methods for preserving package meat, Anderson noticed bacterial growth after ground meat had been sterilized with radiation.

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Genome structure

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Cell structure and metabolism

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Ecology

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Pathology

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Application to Biotechnology

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Current Research

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