Black Project

What is the Biekeibacterium resiliens ?
It is an extremophile bacterium, meaning it lives in conditions that would be lethal to most living beings. Its name, not coincidentally, combines the Taíno word bieke , to refer to the island where it was recently discovered by Puerto Rican scientist Lizbeth Dávila Santiago , and the Latin resiliens (resistant), a tribute to its ability to adapt to the most hostile environments. It was first identified in the US Navy's main experimental explosive bombing range.

Why is it so powerful?
This bacteria is a A resilience machine. First, it survived 70 years of intense bombing, something extremely unlikely. And after that, it survived heavy metals and all sorts of chemical contaminants, both public and secret, transforming them into less harmful compounds. Literally by eating them. And all this in an environment radioactively contaminated by the depleted uranium used to coat the shells to give them greater penetrative power.

Her real superpower is the Bioremediation because it naturally cleans extremely contaminated soils and waters. Currently, Biekeibacterium resiliens It is being studied by Puerto Rican scientists to restore ecosystems around the world.

Lesson from an invisible giant
Biekeibacterium resiliens It teaches us that strength isn't always found in size, but in adaptability: sometimes small is the only thing capable of resisting. For Puerto Ricans, it's a symbol of hope: it shows that even in the most punishing environments, life finds a way. And that science in Puerto Rico can contribute a great deal to humanity.