Microbe of the month
- ARTIS-Micropia
Each month at ARTIS-Micropia, a special microbe is featured. It’s only on display for that month, so be sure not to miss it!
Which microbe is on display this month?
Have you ever heard of a fungus that can survive in places where we wouldn’t last an hour?
The Microbe of the Month September, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, was found on the heavily contaminated walls of the exploded nuclear reactor in Chernobyl. There, where the radioactive radiation is thousands of times higher than safe for humans, this fungus actually grows better.
Scientists are studying how this fungus can withstand such extreme conditions, and whether its unique properties could even be useful for protection during space travel.
Only this month at ARTIS-Micropia you can see Cladosporium sphaerospermum for yourself and discover the secret behind its resistance to radiation.