Cryomyces_antarcticus
Cryomyces antarcticus
Species of fungus
Cryomyces antarcticus is a fungus of uncertain placement in the class Dothideomycetes, division Ascomycota. Found in Antarctica, it was described as new to science in 2005.[1] It has been found to be able to survive the harsh outer space environment and cosmic radiation.[2] A proposed mechanistic contributor to the unique resilience observed in C. antarcticus is the presence of its thick and highly melanized cell walls. [3][4][5][6] This melanin may act to protect DNA from damage while C. antarcticus is exposed to conditions that are unsuitable for typical DNA repair systems to function.[3]