A bacterial expression cloning screen reveals single-stranded DNA-binding proteins as potent desicco-protectants
Desiccation is a harsh stress that kills most cells and organisms. Hibshman et al. used an expression-cloning approach to screen for tardigrade proteins that could improve bacterial desiccation survival. They found that mitochondrial single-stranded DNA-binding proteins can significantly improve desiccation survival—an effect that relies on their ability to bind DNA.