Bacteria found in International Space Station named after Indian scientist Seyed Ajmal Khan

Context

Four species of bacteria have been discovered onboard the International Space Station (ISS), one of which has been named after Indian biodiversity scientist Seyed Ajmal Khan.

Key-highlights of the discovery

• Researchers from the University of Hyderabad working with NASA, have described the discovery.
• Strains: The isolation of four strains of bacteria belonging to the family Methylobacteriaceae
  • one strain was identified as Methylorubrumrhodesianumbacteria
  • the other three strains were previously undiscovered
  • one of the novel strains is named Methylobacteriumajmalii, (after SeyedAjmal Khan, who is a professor at the Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu)
• Characteristics of Bacteria: These bacteria have certain characters:
• Shape: They are rod-shaped bacteria.
• Activities: They are involved in
  • nitrogen fixation
  • plant growth
  • bio-control activity against plant pathogens
• Prospects: The bacteria may hold the key to growing crops in space. It can be a game-changer in space farming.