BIOMEX Experiment: Ultrastructural Alterations, Molecular Damage and Survival of the Fungus Cryomyces antarcticus after the Experiment Verification Tests

The search for traces of extinct or extant life in extraterrestrial environments is one of the main goals for astrobiologists; due to their ability to withstand stress producing conditions, extremophiles are perfect candidates for astrobiological studies. The BIOMEX project aims to test the ability...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Origins of life and evolution of biospheres 2017-06, Vol.47 (2), p.187-202
Main Authors: Pacelli, Claudia, Selbmann, Laura, Zucconi, Laura, De Vera, Jean-Pierre, Rabbow, Elke, Horneck, Gerda, de la Torre, Rosa, Onofri, Silvano
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antarctic Regions
Ascomycota
Astrobiology
Astronomy
Astrophysics and Astroparticles
Biochemistry
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Earth Sciences
Exobiology
Experiments
Extraterrestrial Environment
Fungi
Irradiation
Life Sciences
Microorganisms
Molecular biology
Observations and Techniques
Radiation
Space stations
Survival
Temperature cycles
Temperature effects
Tests
Ultraviolet Rays
Vacuum
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Summary:The search for traces of extinct or extant life in extraterrestrial environments is one of the main goals for astrobiologists; due to their ability to withstand stress producing conditions, extremophiles are perfect candidates for astrobiological studies. The BIOMEX project aims to test the ability of biomolecules and cell components to preserve their stability under space and Mars-like conditions, while at the same time investigating the survival capability of microorganisms. The experiment has been launched into space and is being exposed on the EXPOSE-R2 payload, outside of the International Space Station (ISS) over a time-span of 1.5 years. Along with a number of other extremophilic microorganisms, the Antarctic cryptoendolithic black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus CCFEE 515 has been included in the experiment. Before launch, dried colonies grown on Lunar and Martian regolith analogues were exposed to vacuum, irradiation and temperature cycles in ground based experiments (EVT1 and EVT2). Cultural and molecular tests revealed that the fungus survived on rock analogues under space and simulated Martian conditions, showing only slight ultra-structural and molecular damage.
ISSN:0169-6149
1573-0875
DOI:10.1007/s11084-016-9485-2