Yeast thriving in hydrogen hints at possibility of life on exoplanets
First demonstration of non-adapted microorganisms growing in 100% H2 shows that life could exist even under seemingly hostile conditions
For the first time, yeast and Escherichia coli have been shown to not only survive but thrive in a 100% hydrogen atmosphere. The findings suggest that life could exist even on exoplanets with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.
Some specialised microorganisms need large amounts of hydrogen to live. But none have ever been grown in a pure hydrogen atmosphere. Neither E. coli nor yeast are adapted to living under hydrogen, although both can grow in anaerobic conditions.