The potential of the lichen symbiosis to cope with the extreme conditions of outer space II: germination capacity of lichen ascospores in response to simulated space conditions

Vera, J.P. de; Horneck, G.; Rettberg, Petra; Ott, S.

doi:10.1016/j.asr.2003.10.035

Cited by 95 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The organisms exhibited nitrogen fixation and carbon uptake upon their return. Similarly, lichens flown in BIOPAN exhibited unaltered physiological activity after 16 days in Earth orbit (Sancho et al 2007), consistent with ground-based experimental results (de Vera et al 2004).…”

Section: Interplanetary Transfer Phasesupporting

confidence: 84%

The Interplanetary Exchange of Photosynthesis

Cockell

2007

Orig Life Evol Biosph

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Panspermia, the transfer of organisms from one planet to another, either through interplanetary or interstellar space, remains speculation. However, its potential can be experimentally tested. Conceptually, it is island biogeography on an interplanetary or interstellar scale. Of special interest is the possibility of the transfer of oxygenic photosynthesis between one planet and another, as it can initiate large scale biospheric productivity. Photosynthetic organisms, which must live near the surface of rocks, can be shown experimentally to be subject to destruction during atmospheric transit. Many of them grow as vegetative cells, which are shown experimentally to be susceptible to destruction by shock during impact ejection, although the effectiveness of this dispersal filter can be shown to be mitigated by the characteristics of the cells and their local environment. Collectively these, and other, experiments reveal the particular barriers to the cross-inoculation of photosynthesis. If oxygen biosignatures are eventually found in the atmospheres of extrasolar planets, understanding the potential for the interplanetary exchange of photosynthesis will aid in their interpretation.

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Section: Interplanetary Transfer Phasesupporting

confidence: 84%

The Interplanetary Exchange of Photosynthesis

Cockell

2007

Orig Life Evol Biosph

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“…The halophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp., isolated from a salt deposit in Baja California, survived in Earth orbit for 15 days on the BIOPAN facility (Mancinelli et al 1998). Similarly, lichens flown in this facility exhibited unaltered physiological activity after 16 days (Sancho et al 2007), consistent with ground-based experimental results (de Vera et al 2004). Akinetes of Anabaena cylindrica Lemmermann survived in Earthorbit for 10 days (Olsson-Francis et al in press).…”

Section: Interplanetary Transfersupporting

confidence: 70%

Planetary targets in the search for extrasolar oxygenic photosynthesis

Cockell

Raven

Kaltenegger

et al. 2009

Plant Ecology & Diversity

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Background:In the coming decades space telescopes will be constructed that will attempt to find the gaseous products of oxygenic photosynthesis, the most promising biosignatures of life, in the atmospheres of temperate Earth-like planets orbiting distant stars. Aims: This paper aims to provide a synthesis of the range of feasible targets -either planets or their satellites -that could harbour photosynthesis. Methods: We calculated photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) fluxes on a diversity of planetary bodies including those receiving direct light from a single star, similarly to the Earth, and investigated the potential of these fluxes to support photosynthesis. Results: All main sequence stars emit radiation that is capable of supporting photosynthesis on Earth-like planets. We discuss tidally-locked M star planets as a special case. Less conventional targets for searches include large moons orbiting gas giant planets, which receive reflected light from their host planets and from the host star, planets in stable orbits in binary star systems, and the search for two planets within the same star system with photosynthetic signatures. Conclusions: A diversity of planetary bodies are targets in the search for extrasolar photosynthesis. The demonstration that many or none of these candidate planetary bodies harbour photosynthesis would be an important conclusion in understanding the evolution and prevalence of photosynthesis.

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“…Lichens have also been studied as they have multiple protective mechanisms. These allow lichens to grow in some of the most extreme environments on Earth (de Vera et al 2004Vera et al , 2014b. Using field campaigns, lichens are collected as "fresh samples" directly from their natural habitat.…”

Section: Planetary Field Analogue Environments On Earthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

et al. 2017

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Scientists use the Earth as a tool for astrobiology by analyzing planetary field analogues (i.e. terrestrial samples and field sites that resemble planetary bodies in our Solar System). In addition, they expose the selected planetary field analogues in simulation chambers to conditions that mimic the ones of planets, moons and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space conditions, as well as the chemistry occurring in interstellar and cometary ices. This paper reviews the ways the Earth is used by astrobiologists: (i) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extant life from extreme environments, its metabolisms, adaptation strategies and modern biosignatures; (ii) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extinct life from the oldest rocks on our planet and its biosignatures; (iii) by exposing terrestrial samples to simulated space or planetary environments and producing a sample analogue to investigate changes in minerals, biosignatures and microorganisms. The European Space Agency (ESA) created a topical team in 2011 to investigate recent activities using the Earth as a tool for astrobiology and to formulate recommendations and scientific needs to improve ground-based astrobiological research. Space is an important tool for astrobiology (see Horneck et al. in Astrobiology, 16:201-243, 2016;Cottin et al., 2017), but access to space is limited. Complementing research on Earth provides fast access, more replications and higher sample throughput. The major conclusions of the topical team and suggestions for the future include more scientifically qualified calls for field campaigns with planetary analogy, and a centralized point of contact at ESA or the EU for the organization of a survey of such expeditions. An improvement of the coordinated logistics, infrastructures and funding system supporting the combination of field work with planetary simulation investigations, as well as an optimization of the scientific return and data processing, data storage and data distribution is also needed. Finally, a coordinated EU or ESA education and outreach program would improve the participation of the public in the astrobiological activities.

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The potential of the lichen symbiosis to cope with the extreme conditions of outer space II: germination capacity of lichen ascospores in response to simulated space conditions

Cited by 95 publications

References 12 publications

The Interplanetary Exchange of Photosynthesis

The Interplanetary Exchange of Photosynthesis

Planetary targets in the search for extrasolar oxygenic photosynthesis

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

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