BIOPAN experiment LICHENS on the Foton M2 mission: Pre-flight verification tests of the Rhizocarpon geographicum-granite ecosystem

Noetzel, Rosa de la Torre; Sancho, Leopoldo G.; Pintado, Ana; Rettberg, Petra; Rabbow, Elke; Panitz, Corinna; Deutschmann, U.; Reina, M.; Horneck, G.

doi:10.1016/j.asr.2007.02.022

Cited by 48 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…They can act as models for searching for life beyond Earth, or to investigate the possibility of life transfer between planets [ 1 , 2 ]. In view of space exploration missions focused on identifying evidence for extant or extinct life in the Solar System and beyond, several experiments, ground-based on Earth or in space, have been performed in the last decades [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Simulating space conditions in ground experiments is very useful for testing the resistance of extremophilic microorganisms and biomolecules to specific space parameters, i.e., radiation and vacuum, and combinations of extremes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrity of the DNA and Cellular Ultrastructure of Cryptoendolithic Fungi in Space or Mars Conditions: A 1.5-Year Study at the International Space Station

Onofri

Selbmann

Pacelli

et al. 2018

Life

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The black fungi Cryomyces antarcticus and Cryomyces minteri are highly melanized and are resilient to cold, ultra-violet, ionizing radiation and other extreme conditions. These microorganisms were isolated from cryptoendolithic microbial communities in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (Antarctica) and studied in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), using the EXPOSE-E facility on the International Space Station (ISS). Previously, it was demonstrated that C. antarcticus and C. minteri survive the hostile conditions of space (vacuum, temperature fluctuations, and the full spectrum of extraterrestrial solar electromagnetic radiation), as well as Mars conditions that were simulated in space for a 1.5-year period. Here, we qualitatively and quantitatively characterize damage to DNA and cellular ultrastructure in desiccated cells of these two species, within the frame of the same experiment. The DNA and cells of C. antarcticus exhibited a higher resistance than those of C. minteri. This is presumably attributable to the thicker (melanized) cell wall of the former. Generally, DNA was readily detected (by PCR) regardless of exposure conditions or fungal species, but the C. minteri DNA had been more-extensively mutated. We discuss the implications for using DNA, when properly shielded, as a biosignature of recently extinct or extant life.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrity of the DNA and Cellular Ultrastructure of Cryptoendolithic Fungi in Space or Mars Conditions: A 1.5-Year Study at the International Space Station

Onofri

Selbmann

Pacelli

et al. 2018

Life

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“…Because of the effective strategies adopted by lichens for survival in extreme terrestrial conditions it has been suggested that these organisms could also be suited to survive extreme extraterrestrial conditions [12] and under some specific experiments undertaken to demonstrate this, lichen colonies exhibited the ability to maintain the germinative capacity of the symbionts and ascospores [13][14][15]. For this reason, lichens have recently received much attention in astrobiology and the search for life signatures on planetary surfaces [16][17][18].…”

Section: Insert Here Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

FT-Raman spectroscopy of the Candelaria and Pyxine lichen species: A new molecular structural study

Fernandes

Ferreira

Spielmann

et al. 2015

Journal of Molecular Structure

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“…2003, 2004, 2008, 2010) and survives and maintains germination and growth capacity for each of its symbionts after exposure to real space conditions (Sancho et al. 2007; de la Torre Noetzel et al. 2007; de Vera et al.…”

Section: Shock Recovery Experiments and Selected Shock Pressuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shock experiments in support of the Lithopanspermia theory: The influence of host rock composition, temperature, and shock pressure on the survival rate of endolithic and epilithic microorganisms

Meyer

Fritz

Misgaiski

et al. 2011

Meteorit & Planetary Scien

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Abstract-Shock recovery experiments were performed with an explosive set-up in which three types of microorganisms embedded in various types of host rocks were exposed to strong shock waves with pressure pulse lengths of lower than 0.5 ls: spores of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis, Xanthoria elegans lichens, and cells of the cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis sp. 029. In these experiments, three fundamental parameters were systematically varied (1) shock pressures ranging from 5 to 50 GPa, (2) preshock ambient temperature of 293, 233 and 193 K, and (3) the type of host rock, including nonporous igneous rocks (gabbro and dunite as analogs for the Martian shergottites and chassignites, respectively), porous sandstone, rock salt (halite), and a clay-rich mineral mixture as porous analogs for dry and water-saturated Martian regolith. The results show that the three parameters have a strong influence on the survival rates of the microorganisms. The most favorable conditions for the impact ejection from Mars for microorganisms would be (1) low porosity host rocks, (2) pressures <10-20 GPa, and (3) low ambient temperature of target rocks during impact. All tested microorganisms were capable of surviving to a certain extent impact ejection in different geological materials under distinct conditions.

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BIOPAN experiment LICHENS on the Foton M2 mission: Pre-flight verification tests of the Rhizocarpon geographicum-granite ecosystem

Cited by 48 publications

References 15 publications

Integrity of the DNA and Cellular Ultrastructure of Cryptoendolithic Fungi in Space or Mars Conditions: A 1.5-Year Study at the International Space Station

Integrity of the DNA and Cellular Ultrastructure of Cryptoendolithic Fungi in Space or Mars Conditions: A 1.5-Year Study at the International Space Station

FT-Raman spectroscopy of the Candelaria and Pyxine lichen species: A new molecular structural study

Shock experiments in support of the Lithopanspermia theory: The influence of host rock composition, temperature, and shock pressure on the survival rate of endolithic and epilithic microorganisms

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