Abstract:Nuclear energy plays an important role in relieving the energy shortage and reducing the emission of greenhouse gas, however, the adverse effect caused by radioactive wastes impedes the development of nuclear energy. Kineococcus radiotolerans is a gram positive bacterium isolated from nuclear waste polluted environment and can survive under harsh conditions, such as radiation, strong alkali, high salinity, drought, high concentration of mental ions, high osmotic pressure, and high chemical toxicity. It can be potentially used in environmental bioremediation and medical studies. The current status on its physicochemical characteristics, radio-resistance, anti-oxidation, resistance to chemical toxicity is reviewed in this paper.