Researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences have discovered a potent manganese(II)-based antioxidant complex of the bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans that can be used to protect animals from radiation injury. During the experiment, the researchers administered the manganese peptide antioxidants (MDP) to a group of mice prior to exposing them to lethal gamma radiation. All mice that received MDP surivived, while the control group experienced 63% mortality and weight loss. Dr. Michael Daly, professor of pathology at USU, explained that protecting proteins is the way to survive from radiation, which Deinococcus radiodurans has the ability to do.