The search for extraterrestrial life has led scientists to search everywhere in space, from the surface of Mars to the atmospheres of the farthest exoplanets.

But now, scientists have discovered unknown bacteria that have never been seen on Earth – in a Chinese space station.

According to the Daily Mail, the bacteria were discovered in a cabin at the Tiangong Space Station and named Nially Tiangongensis – by the name of the Chinese station.

Tiangong (“Heavenly Palace”) consists of the main section for astronauts, Tianhe, and two sections for conducting experiments, Mengtian and Wentian.

Mutated earthy to survive in space

The “extraterrestrial” bacteria are relatives of bacteria found on the ground of the Earth – of Nially Circulans – but they are mutated and sophisticated to survive in space.

Niallalia Tiangongensis has specialized genes that help repair the damage caused by the intense radiation beyond the earth’s atmosphere.

Most amazing is that scientists have discovered that these bacteria have evolved the ability to eat gelatin to create a hard protective “biofilm”.

While their closest relative to Earth is known to cause rot, it has not yet been determined if Niallalia Tiangongensis is a threat to humans.

Researchers say that understanding the new bacteria that exist in space is “essential for the preservation of astronauts’ health.”