User:Ssnandinir/Rhodococcus erythropolis

Rhodococcus erythropolis is a Gram-positive bacterium species in the genus Rhodococcus. The morphogenetic cycle of R. erythropolis, from branching to rod and to coccus morphology, explains the series of morphological changes this bacterium undergoing during growth and development processes. These bacterium are found in red and orange colonies when observed this explains the species name erythropolis which means "red city" in Greek.

R. erythropolis has been isolated from the air of the Russian Space Laboratory Mir along with a large number of other microorganisms that steadily accumulated during the lifespan of the station. Rhodococcus bacteria are known to degrade organic compounds contained in the rubber used aboard the space station with specialized enzymes. This can lead to degradation of critical components and necessitates replacement of the parts or preventive measures dealing with microbial contamination.