Microbe, key to extraterrestrial life?

Dr. Loveland-Curtze and her team at Pennsylvania State University have discovered a novel microbe, Herminiimosa glaciei. H. glaciei was brought to life by the team. The dormant mirobe was taken into a 2 degree Celsius chamber for 7 months and then into a 5 degree Celsius chamber for 4 and half months. After the incubation small colonies of H. glaciei were found. This microbe is about 10 to 15 times smaller than E. coli. A small size is advantageous is living in harsh conditions. The microbe was probably able to survive in liquid veins of ice crystals or liquid film on surfaces. Studying how such small microbes can survive in harsh conditions can lead to a better understanding of small cells on other planets and how we can discover them.