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2. Biosignature stability in space enables their use for life detection on Mars

Author

Baqué, Mickael, primary, Backhaus, Theresa, additional, Meeßen, Joachim, additional, Hanke, Franziska, additional, Böttger, Ute, additional, Ramkissoon, Nisha, additional, Olsson-Francis, Karen, additional, Baumgärtner, Michael, additional, Billi, Daniela, additional, Cassaro, Alessia, additional, de la Torre Noetzel, Rosa, additional, Demets, René, additional, Edwards, Howell, additional, Ehrenfreund, Pascale, additional, Elsaesser, Andreas, additional, Foing, Bernard, additional, Foucher, Frédéric, additional, Huwe, Björn, additional, Joshi, Jasmin, additional, Kozyrovska, Natalia, additional, Lasch, Peter, additional, Lee, Natuschka, additional, Leuko, Stefan, additional, Onofri, Silvano, additional, Ott, Sieglinde, additional, Pacelli, Claudia, additional, Rabbow, Elke, additional, Rothschild, Lynn, additional, Schulze-Makuch, Dirk, additional, Selbmann, Laura, additional, Serrano, Paloma, additional, Szewzyk, Ulrich, additional, Verseux, Cyprien, additional, Wagner, Dirk, additional, Westall, Frances, additional, Zucconi, Laura, additional, and de Vera, Jean-Pierre P., additional

Published
2022
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3. Biosignature stability in space enables their use for life detection on Mars

Author

Baqué, Mickael, Backhaus, Theresa, Meeßen, Joachim, Hanke, Franziska, Böttger, Ute, Ramkissoon, Nisha, Olsson-Francis, Karen, Baumgärtner, Michael, Billi, Daniela, Cassaro, Alessia, de la Torre Noetzel, Rosa, Demets, René, Edwards, Howell, Ehrenfreund, Pascale, Elsaesser, Andreas, Foing, Bernard, Foucher, Frédéric, Huwe, Björn, Joshi, Jasmin, Kozyrovska, Natalia, Lasch, Peter, Lee, Natuschka, Leuko, Stefan, Onofri, Silvano, Ott, Sieglinde, Pacelli, Claudia, Rabbow, Elke, Rothschild, Lynn, Schulze-Makuch, Dirk, Selbmann, Laura, Serrano, Paloma, Szewzyk, Ulrich, Verseux, Cyprien, Wagner, Dirk, Westall, Frances, Zucconi, Laura, de Vera, Jean-Pierre P, Baqué, Mickael, Backhaus, Theresa, Meeßen, Joachim, Hanke, Franziska, Böttger, Ute, Ramkissoon, Nisha, Olsson-Francis, Karen, Baumgärtner, Michael, Billi, Daniela, Cassaro, Alessia, de la Torre Noetzel, Rosa, Demets, René, Edwards, Howell, Ehrenfreund, Pascale, Elsaesser, Andreas, Foing, Bernard, Foucher, Frédéric, Huwe, Björn, Joshi, Jasmin, Kozyrovska, Natalia, Lasch, Peter, Lee, Natuschka, Leuko, Stefan, Onofri, Silvano, Ott, Sieglinde, Pacelli, Claudia, Rabbow, Elke, Rothschild, Lynn, Schulze-Makuch, Dirk, Selbmann, Laura, Serrano, Paloma, Szewzyk, Ulrich, Verseux, Cyprien, Wagner, Dirk, Westall, Frances, Zucconi, Laura, and de Vera, Jean-Pierre P

Abstract

Two rover missions to Mars aim to detect biomolecules as a sign of extinct or extant life with, among other instruments, Raman spectrometers. However, there are many unknowns about the stability of Raman-detectable biomolecules in the martian environment, clouding the interpretation of the results. To quantify Raman-detectable biomolecule stability, we exposed seven biomolecules for 469 days to a simulated martian environment outside the International Space Station. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) strongly changed the Raman spectra signals, but only minor change was observed when samples were shielded from UVR. These findings provide support for Mars mission operations searching for biosignatures in the subsurface. This experiment demonstrates the detectability of biomolecules by Raman spectroscopy in Mars regolith analogs after space exposure and lays the groundwork for a consolidated space-proven database of spectroscopy biosignatures in targeted environments.

Published
2022
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4. Supporting Mars exploration: BIOMEX in Low Earth Orbit and further astrobiological studies on the Moon using Raman and PanCam technology

Author

de Vera, Jean-Pierre, Boettger, Ute, Noetzel, Rosa de la Torre, Sánchez, Francisco J, Grunow, Dana, Schmitz, Nicole, Lange, Caroline, Hübers, Heinz-Wilhelm, Billi, Daniela, Baqué, Mickael, Rettberg, Petra, Rabbow, Elke, Reitz, Günther, Berger, Thomas, Möller, Ralf, Bohmeier, Maria, Horneck, Gerda, Westall, Frances, Jänchen, Jochen, Fritz, Jörg, Meyer, Cornelia, Onofri, Silvano, Selbmann, Laura, Zucconi, Laura, Kozyrovska, Natalia, Leya, Thomas, Foing, Bernard, Demets, René, Cockell, Charles S., Bryce, Casey, Wagner, Dirk, Serrano, Paloma, Edwards, Howell G.M., Joshi, Jasmin, Huwe, Björn, Ehrenfreund, Pascale, Elsaesser, Andreas, Ott, Sieglinde, Meessen, Joachim, Feyh, Nina, Szewzyk, Ulrich, Jaumann, Ralf, and Spohn, Tilman

Published
2012
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8. Limits of Life and the Habitability of Mars : The ESA Space Experiment BIOMEX on the ISS

Author

de Vera, Jean-Pierre, Alawi, Mashal, Backhaus, Theresa, Baqué, Mickael, Billi, Daniela, Böttger, Ute, Berger, Thomas, Bohmeier, Maria, Cockell, Charles, Demets, René, de la Torre Noetzel, Rosa, Edwards, Howell, Elsaesser, Andreas, Fagliarone, Claudia, Fiedler, Annelie, Foing, Bernard, Foucher, Frédéric, Fritz, Jörg, Hanke, Franziska, Herzog, Thomas, Horneck, Gerda, Hübers, Heinz-Wilhelm, Huwe, Björn, Joshi, Jasmin, Kozyrovska, Natalia, Kruchten, Martha, Lasch, Peter, Lee, Natuschka, Leuko, Stefan, Leya, Thomas, Lorek, Andreas, Martínez-Frías, Jesús, Meessen, Joachim, Moritz, Sophie, Moeller, Ralf, Olsson-Francis, Karen, Onofri, Silvano, Ott, Sieglinde, Pacelli, Claudia, Podolich, Olga, Rabbow, Elke, Reitz, Günther, Rettberg, Petra, Reva, Oleg, Rothschild, Lynn, Sancho, Leo Garcia, Schulze-Makuch, Dirk, Selbmann, Laura, Serrano, Paloma, Szewzyk, Ulrich, Verseux, Cyprien, Wadsworth, Jennifer, Wagner, Dirk, Westall, Frances, Wolter, David, Zucconi, Laura, DLR Institut für Planetenforschung, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt [Berlin] (DLR), Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron [Pôle Chimie Balard] (IBMM), Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier (ENSCM)-Institut de Chimie du CNRS (INC)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata [Roma], Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt [Köln] (DLR), SUPA School of Physics and Astronomy [Edinburgh], University of Edinburgh, European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), European Space Agency (ESA), Earth Observation, Remote Sensing and Atmosphere Department, INTA, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Universiteit Leiden [Leiden], Centre de biophysique moléculaire (CBM), Université d'Orléans (UO)-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Chimie du CNRS (INC), Saalbau Weltraum Projekt, DLR Institut für Luft- und Raumfahrtmedizin, Universität Potsdam, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU), Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering [Sulzbach] (Fraunhofer IBMT), Fraunhofer (Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft), Centro de Astrobiologia [Madrid] (CAB), Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Madrid] (CSIC), Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf = Heinrich Heine University [Düsseldorf], The Open University [Milton Keynes] (OU), Università degli studi della Tuscia [Viterbo], NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), Joint Center for Structural Genomics (JCSG), Stanford University, Technische Universität Berlin (TU), Publica, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, German Centre for Air and Space Travel, Helmholtz Association, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), and National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

Subjects
BIOMEX, Weltrauminstrumente, Extraterrestrial Environment, Lichens, Ultraviolet Rays, Settore BIO/01, Habitability, Mars, Cyanobacteria, EXPOSE-R2—BIOMEX—Habitability—Limits of life—Extremophiles—Mars, Strahlenbiologie, Extremophiles, Astronomi, astrofysik och kosmologi, ddc:570, Exobiology, Marchantia, Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology, ddc:610, Limits of life, EXPOSE-R2, Introduction, Minerals, Leitungsbereich PF, [SDU]Sciences of the Universe [physics], Biofilms, Methanosarcina, ddc:520, Deinococcus, 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
Abstract

BIOMEX (BIOlogy and Mars EXperiment) is an ESA/Roscosmos space exposure experiment housed within the exposure facility EXPOSE-R2 outside the Zvezda module on the International Space Station (ISS). The design of the multiuser facility supports—among others—the BIOMEX investigations into the stability and level of degradation of space-exposed biosignatures such as pigments, secondary metabolites, and cell surfaces in contact with a terrestrial and Mars analog mineral environment. In parallel, analysis on the viability of the investigated organisms has provided relevant data for evaluation of the habitability of Mars, for the limits of life, and for the likelihood of an interplanetary transfer of life (theory of lithopanspermia). In this project, lichens, archaea, bacteria, cyanobacteria, snow/permafrost algae, meristematic black fungi, and bryophytes from alpine and polar habitats were embedded, grown, and cultured on a mixture of martian and lunar regolith analogs or other terrestrial minerals. The organisms and regolith analogs and terrestrial mineral mixtures were then exposed to space and to simulated Mars-like conditions by way of the EXPOSE-R2 facility. In this special issue, we present the first set of data obtained in reference to our investigation into the habitability of Mars and limits of life. This project was initiated and implemented by the BIOMEX group, an international and interdisciplinary consortium of 30 institutes in 12 countries on 3 continents. Preflight tests for sample selection, results from ground-based simulation experiments, and the space experiments themselves are presented and include a complete overview of the scientific processes required for this space experiment and postflight analysis. The presented BIOMEX concept could be scaled up to future exposure experiments on the Moon and will serve as a pretest in low Earth orbit., This research was supported by the Italian Space Agency (ASI grant BIOMEX Cyano 051-R.0 to D.B., ASI grant BIOMEX MicroColonial Fungi 063-R.0 to S.O.); the German Aerospace Center (DLR-grants: Department of Infrastructure and Management, Astrobiology Laboratories through a grant DLR-FuW-Project BIOMEX (2474128)/ Department of Radiation Biology supported by the grant DLR-FuE-Projekt ISS LIFE, Programm RF-FuW, Teilprogramm 475); the German Helmholtz Association through the Helmholtz-Alliance ‘‘Planetary Evolution and Life’’; the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO, project SUBLIMAS ‘‘SUrvival of Bacteria and LIchens on Mars Analogs and Space,’’ ESP2015- 69810-R, 2015, to R. de la Torre, and project ‘‘CTM2015- 64728-C2-1-R’’ to L.G. Sancho); and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (grant 47/2017).

Published
2019
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9. Limits of Life and the Habitability of Mars: The ESA Space Experiment BIOMEX on the ISS

Author

Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, German Centre for Air and Space Travel, Helmholtz Association, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Vera, Jean-Pierre de, Alawi, Mashal, Backhaus, Theresa, Baqué, Mickael, Billi, Daniela, Böttger, Ute, Berger, Thomas, Bohmeier, Maria, Cockell, Charles, Demets, René, De la Torre Noetzel, R., Edwards, H. G. M., Elsaesser, Andreas, Fagliarone, Claudia, Fiedler, Annelie, Foing, Bernard, Foucher, Frédéric, Fritz, Jörg, Hanke, Franziska, Herzog, Thomas, Horneck, Gerda, Hübers, Heinz-Wilhelm, Huwe, Björn, Joshi, Jasmin, Kozyrovska, Natalia, Kruchten, Martha, Lasch, Peter, Lee, Natuschka, Leuko, Stefan, Leya, Thomas, Lorek, Andreas, Martínez-Frías, J., Meessen, Joachim, Moritz, Sophie, Moeller, Ralf, Olsson-Francis, Karen, Onofri, Silvano, Ott, Sieglinde, Pacelli, Claudia, Podolich, Olga, Rabbow, Elke, Reitz, Güenther, Rettberg, Petra, Reva, Oleg, Rothschild, Lynn, García Sancho, Leopoldo, Schulze-Makuch, Dirk, Selbmann, Laura, Serrano, Paloma, Szewzyk, Ulrich, Verseux, Cyprien, Wadsworth, J., Wagner, Dirk, Westall, Frances, Wolter, David, Zucconi, Laura, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, German Centre for Air and Space Travel, Helmholtz Association, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Vera, Jean-Pierre de, Alawi, Mashal, Backhaus, Theresa, Baqué, Mickael, Billi, Daniela, Böttger, Ute, Berger, Thomas, Bohmeier, Maria, Cockell, Charles, Demets, René, De la Torre Noetzel, R., Edwards, H. G. M., Elsaesser, Andreas, Fagliarone, Claudia, Fiedler, Annelie, Foing, Bernard, Foucher, Frédéric, Fritz, Jörg, Hanke, Franziska, Herzog, Thomas, Horneck, Gerda, Hübers, Heinz-Wilhelm, Huwe, Björn, Joshi, Jasmin, Kozyrovska, Natalia, Kruchten, Martha, Lasch, Peter, Lee, Natuschka, Leuko, Stefan, Leya, Thomas, Lorek, Andreas, Martínez-Frías, J., Meessen, Joachim, Moritz, Sophie, Moeller, Ralf, Olsson-Francis, Karen, Onofri, Silvano, Ott, Sieglinde, Pacelli, Claudia, Podolich, Olga, Rabbow, Elke, Reitz, Güenther, Rettberg, Petra, Reva, Oleg, Rothschild, Lynn, García Sancho, Leopoldo, Schulze-Makuch, Dirk, Selbmann, Laura, Serrano, Paloma, Szewzyk, Ulrich, Verseux, Cyprien, Wadsworth, J., Wagner, Dirk, Westall, Frances, Wolter, David, and Zucconi, Laura

Abstract

BIOMEX (BIOlogy and Mars EXperiment) is an ESA/Roscosmos space exposure experiment housed within the exposure facility EXPOSE-R2 outside the Zvezda module on the International Space Station (ISS). The design of the multiuser facility supports—among others—the BIOMEX investigations into the stability and level of degradation of space-exposed biosignatures such as pigments, secondary metabolites, and cell surfaces in contact with a terrestrial and Mars analog mineral environment. In parallel, analysis on the viability of the investigated organisms has provided relevant data for evaluation of the habitability of Mars, for the limits of life, and for the likelihood of an interplanetary transfer of life (theory of lithopanspermia). In this project, lichens, archaea, bacteria, cyanobacteria, snow/permafrost algae, meristematic black fungi, and bryophytes from alpine and polar habitats were embedded, grown, and cultured on a mixture of martian and lunar regolith analogs or other terrestrial minerals. The organisms and regolith analogs and terrestrial mineral mixtures were then exposed to space and to simulated Mars-like conditions by way of the EXPOSE-R2 facility. In this special issue, we present the first set of data obtained in reference to our investigation into the habitability of Mars and limits of life. This project was initiated and implemented by the BIOMEX group, an international and interdisciplinary consortium of 30 institutes in 12 countries on 3 continents. Preflight tests for sample selection, results from ground-based simulation experiments, and the space experiments themselves are presented and include a complete overview of the scientific processes required for this space experiment and postflight analysis. The presented BIOMEX concept could be scaled up to future exposure experiments on the Moon and will serve as a pretest in low Earth orbit.

Published
2019

11. Survival of lichens on the ISS-II: ultrastructural and morphological changes of Circinaria gyrosa after space and Mars-like conditions

Author

De la Torre Noetzel, R., Miller, A. Z., Cubero, Beatriz, Sancho, Leopoldo G., Jordão, L., Rabbow, Elke, Meessen, Joachim, and Vera, Jean-Pierre de

Abstract

Lichens are extremophile organisms, they live in the most extreme conditions, colonizing areas with extreme temperatures, high aridity condition and high UV-radiation. Therefore they have been by far the most successful settlers of the Antarctic continent. Also in the laboratory they survive temperatures near the absolute cero and absolute dryness without difficulty. Lichen species have distinct likes and dislikes when it come to the physico-chemical properties of the substrate while the group of lichens as a whole is pretty adaptable to various substrata (from rocks to glass). The main feature/aspect of their evolutionary/ecological success of this capacity is the close symbiotic relation between two organisms, a fungi and a cyanobacteria or an algae [1], allowing them to survive at real space [2] and at Mars conditions [3, 4, 5], such as that on the ISS. At the exposure platform EXPOSE-R2 on ISS (2014-2016), samples of the lichen species Circinaria gyrosa belonging to the BIOMEX experiment (Biology and Mars Experiment, ESA) [5], were exposed during 18 months to real space and to a Mars simulated environment to study Mars habitability and resistance to real space conditions. Also the identification of biomarkers was done to include them as reference for future space missions to Mars (Exo Mars). After the return of the mission at June 2016, the first preliminary analysis were performed, showing the metabolic activity a quick and complete recovery of the dark space control samples exposed to space vacuum and Mars-like atmosphere. In contrast, the samples directly exposed to space radiation showed slow recovery in reference to their observed original activity. Electron and fluorescence microscopy techniques also revealed that the viability of C. gyrosa exposed to space conditions decreased in comparison to those exposed to Mars-like environment. Moreover, differences were observed between samples positioned at level 1 and level 2. In general, TEM and FESEM observations showed that samples at level 2 (basal samples) were slightly affected in their morphology/ultrastructure by the exposure conditions. In contrast, cellular ultrastructure alterations were clearly evident for samples exposed to space radiation, which led to a shrinkage process. The cell walls were irregularly shaped and debris of the major organelles were visible. Now, the biomolecular changes of the DNA are in study by PCR and sequencing techniques. In contrast to these studies, the biogeochemical variations will be examined with spectroscopic analyses (Raman) to look for possible degradation of cell surfaces and pigments which were in contact with terrestrial rocks, and Martian analogue regolith. These experiments will contribute to answer questions on the habitability of Mars, on the likelihood of the Lithopanspermia HYPOTHESIS y [8] and will be of relevance for planetary protection issues

Published
2017

13. Resistance of lichens to simulated galactic cosmic radiation: limits of survival capacity and biosignature detection

Author

Torre, Raquel de la, Miller, A. Z., Cubero, Beatriz, Raguse, Marina, and Meessen, Joachim

Abstract

Space constitutes an extremely harmful environment for survival of terrestrial organisms. Amongst extremophiles on Earth, lichens are one of the most resistant organisms to harsh terrestrial environments, as well as some species of microorganisms, such as bacteria (Moeller et al., 2010), criptoendolithic cyanobacteria and lithic fungi (de los Ríos et al. 2004). To study the survival capacity of lichens to the harmful radiation environment of space, we have selected the lichen Circinaria gyrosa, an astrobiological model defined by its high capacity of resistance to space conditions (De la Torre et al. 2010) and to a simulated Mars environment (Sanchez et al., 2012). Samples were irradiated with four types of space-relevant ionizing radiation in the STARLIFE campaign: helium and iron ion doses (up to 2,000 Gy), X-ray doses (up to 5,000 Gy) and ultra-high γ-ray doses (from 6 to 113 kGy). Results on resistance of C. gyrosa to space-relevant ionizing radiation and its post-irradiation viability were obtained by: (i) chlorophyll a fluorescence of photosystem II (PS II); (ii) epifluorescence microscopy; (iii) confocal laser-scanning microscopy (CLSM), and (iv) field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Results of photosynthetic activity and epifluorescence showed no significant changes on the viability of C. gyrosa with increasing doses of helium and iron ions as well as X-rays. In contrast, γ-irradiation elicited significant dose-correlated effects as revealed by all applied techniques. Relevant is the presence of whewellite-like crystals, detected by FESEM on C. gyrosa thalli after high irradiation doses, which has been also identified in previous Mars simulation studies (Böttcher et al., 2014). These studies contribute to the better understanding of the adaptability of extremophile organisms to harsh environments, as well as to estimate the habitability of a planet’s surface, like Mars; they will be important for planning experiments on the search of life in the universe, and as contribution of lithopanspermia, the theory that supports the interplanetary transfer of rock inhabiting life by means of meteorites (Mileikovsky et al., 2000). References Böttger U, Meessen J, Martinez-Frias J, Hübers H-W, Rull F, Sánchez FJ, de la Torre R, de Vera J-P. 2014. International Journal of Astrobiology 13: 19–27. de la Torre R, Sancho LG, Horneck G, de los Ríos A, Wierzchos J, Olsson-Francis K, et al. 2010. Icarus 208: 735-748. de los Ríos A, Wierzchos J, Sancho LG, Ascaso C. 2004. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 50: 143–152. Mileikovsky C, Cucinotta F, Wilson JW, Gladman B, Horneck G, Lindegren L, Melosh J, Rickman H, Valtonen M, Zheng JQ. 2000. Icarus 145, 391-427. Moeller R, Rohde M, Reitz G. 2010. Icarus 206: 783–786. Sánchez FJ, Mateo-Martí E, Raggio J, Meeßen J, Martínez-Frías J, Sancho LG, et al. 2012. Planetary and Space Science 72: 102–110., AZ Miller acknowledges the support from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (PIEF-GA2012-328689).

Published
2016

18. The Effect of High-Dose Ionizing Radiation on the Isolated Photobiont of the Astrobiological Model Lichen Circinaria gyrosa.

Author

Meeßen, Joachim, Backhaus, Theresa, Brandt, Annette, Raguse, Marina, Böttger, Ute, de Vera, Jean-Pierre, and de la Torre, Rosa

Subjects
*LICHEN physiology, *SYMBIOGENESIS, *PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of ionizing radiation, *ASTROBIOLOGY, *XANTHORIA, *PHOTOSYSTEMS
Abstract

Lichen symbioses between fungi and algae represent successful life strategies to colonize the most extreme terrestrial habitats. Consequently, space exposure and simulation experiments have demonstrated lichens' high capacity for survival, and thus, they have become models in astrobiological research with which to discern the limits and limitations of terrestrial life. In a series of ground-based irradiation experiments, the STARLIFE campaign investigated the resistance of astrobiological model organisms to galactic cosmic radiation, which is one of the lethal stressors of extraterrestrial environments. Since previous studies have identified that the alga is the more sensitive lichen symbiont, we chose the isolated photobiont Trebouxia sp. of the astrobiological model Circinaria gyrosa as a subject in the campaign. Therein, γ radiation was used to exemplify the deleterious effects of low linear energy transfer (LET) ionizing radiation at extremely high doses up to 113 kGy in the context of astrobiology. The effects were analyzed by chlorophyll a fluorescence of photosystem II (PSII), cultivation assays, live/dead staining and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and Raman laser spectroscopy (RLS). The results demonstrate dose-dependent impairment of photosynthesis, the cessation of cell proliferation, cellular damage, a decrease in metabolic activity, and degradation of photosynthetic pigments. While previous investigations on other extraterrestrial stressors have demonstrated a high potential of resistance, results of this study reveal the limits of photobiont resistance to ionizing radiation and characterize γ radiation-induced damages. This study also supports parallel STARLIFE studies on the lichens Circinaria gyrosa and Xanthoria elegans, both of which harbor a Trebouxia sp. photobiont. Key Words: Astrobiology-Gamma rays-Extremotolerance-Ionizing radiation-Lichens-Photobiont. Astrobiology 17, 154-162. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2017
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20. UV-C tolerance of symbioticTrebouxiasp. in the space-tested lichen speciesRhizocarpon geographicumandCircinaria gyrosa: role of the hydration state and cortex/screening substances

Author

Sánchez, Francisco Javier, primary, Meeßen, Joachim, additional, Ruiz, M.ª del Carmen, additional, G.ª Sancho, Leopoldo, additional, Ott, Sieglinde, additional, Vílchez, Carlos, additional, Horneck, Gerda, additional, Sadowsky, Andres, additional, and de la Torre, Rosa, additional

Published
2013
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22. Limits of Life and the Habitability of Mars: The ESA Space Experiment BIOMEX on the ISS

Author

de Vera, Jean-Pierre, Alawi, Mashal, Backhaus, Theresa, Baqué, Mickael, Billi, Daniela, Böttger, Ute, Berger, Thomas, Bohmeier, Maria, Cockell, Charles, Demets, René, de la Torre Noetzel, Rosa, Edwards, Howell, Elsaesser, Andreas, Fagliarone, Claudia, Fiedler, Annelie, Foing, Bernard, Foucher, Frédéric, Fritz, Jörg, Hanke, Franziska, Herzog, Thomas, Horneck, Gerda, Hübers, Heinz-Wilhelm, Huwe, Björn, Joshi, Jasmin, Kozyrovska, Natalia, Kruchten, Martha, Lasch, Peter, Lee, Natuschka, Leuko, Stefan, Leya, Thomas, Lorek, Andreas, Martínez-Frías, Jesús, Meessen, Joachim, Moritz, Sophie, Moeller, Ralf, Olsson-Francis, Karen, Onofri, Silvano, Ott, Sieglinde, Pacelli, Claudia, Podolich, Olga, Rabbow, Elke, Reitz, Günther, Rettberg, Petra, Reva, Oleg, Rothschild, Lynn, Sancho, Leo Garcia, Schulze-Makuch, Dirk, Selbmann, Laura, Serrano, Paloma, Szewzyk, Ulrich, Verseux, Cyprien, Wadsworth, Jennifer, Wagner, Dirk, Westall, Frances, Wolter, David, Zucconi, Laura, de Vera, Jean-Pierre, Alawi, Mashal, Backhaus, Theresa, Baqué, Mickael, Billi, Daniela, Böttger, Ute, Berger, Thomas, Bohmeier, Maria, Cockell, Charles, Demets, René, de la Torre Noetzel, Rosa, Edwards, Howell, Elsaesser, Andreas, Fagliarone, Claudia, Fiedler, Annelie, Foing, Bernard, Foucher, Frédéric, Fritz, Jörg, Hanke, Franziska, Herzog, Thomas, Horneck, Gerda, Hübers, Heinz-Wilhelm, Huwe, Björn, Joshi, Jasmin, Kozyrovska, Natalia, Kruchten, Martha, Lasch, Peter, Lee, Natuschka, Leuko, Stefan, Leya, Thomas, Lorek, Andreas, Martínez-Frías, Jesús, Meessen, Joachim, Moritz, Sophie, Moeller, Ralf, Olsson-Francis, Karen, Onofri, Silvano, Ott, Sieglinde, Pacelli, Claudia, Podolich, Olga, Rabbow, Elke, Reitz, Günther, Rettberg, Petra, Reva, Oleg, Rothschild, Lynn, Sancho, Leo Garcia, Schulze-Makuch, Dirk, Selbmann, Laura, Serrano, Paloma, Szewzyk, Ulrich, Verseux, Cyprien, Wadsworth, Jennifer, Wagner, Dirk, Westall, Frances, Wolter, David, and Zucconi, Laura

Abstract

BIOMEX (BIOlogy and Mars EXperiment) is an ESA/Roscosmos space exposure experiment housed within the exposure facility EXPOSE-R2 outside the Zvezda module on the International Space Station (ISS). The design of the multiuser facility supports—among others—the BIOMEX investigations into the stability and level of degradation of space-exposed biosignatures such as pigments, secondary metabolites, and cell surfaces in contact with a terrestrial and Mars analog mineral environment. In parallel, analysis on the viability of the investigated organisms has provided relevant data for evaluation of the habitability of Mars, for the limits of life, and for the likelihood of an interplanetary transfer of life (theory of lithopanspermia). In this project, lichens, archaea, bacteria, cyanobacteria, snow/permafrost algae, meristematic black fungi, and bryophytes from alpine and polar habitats were embedded, grown, and cultured on a mixture of martian and lunar regolith analogs or other terrestrial minerals. The organisms and regolith analogs and terrestrial mineral mixtures were then exposed to space and to simulated Mars-like conditions by way of the EXPOSE-R2 facility. In this special issue, we present the first set of data obtained in reference to our investigation into the habitability of Mars and limits of life. This project was initiated and implemented by the BIOMEX group, an international and interdisciplinary consortium of 30 institutes in 12 countries on 3 continents. Preflight tests for sample selection, results from ground-based simulation experiments, and the space experiments themselves are presented and include a complete overview of the scientific processes required for this space experiment and postflight analysis. The presented BIOMEX concept could be scaled up to future exposure experiments on the Moon and will serve as a pretest in low Earth orbit.

23. Limits of Life and the Habitability of Mars: The ESA Space Experiment BIOMEX on the ISS

Author

de Vera, Jean-Pierre, Alawi, Mashal, Backhaus, Theresa, Baqué, Mickael, Billi, Daniela, Böttger, Ute, Berger, Thomas, Bohmeier, Maria, Cockell, Charles, Demets, René, de la Torre Noetzel, Rosa, Edwards, Howell, Elsaesser, Andreas, Fagliarone, Claudia, Fiedler, Annelie, Foing, Bernard, Foucher, Frédéric, Fritz, Jörg, Hanke, Franziska, Herzog, Thomas, Horneck, Gerda, Hübers, Heinz-Wilhelm, Huwe, Björn, Joshi, Jasmin, Kozyrovska, Natalia, Kruchten, Martha, Lasch, Peter, Lee, Natuschka, Leuko, Stefan, Leya, Thomas, Lorek, Andreas, Martínez-Frías, Jesús, Meessen, Joachim, Moritz, Sophie, Moeller, Ralf, Olsson-Francis, Karen, Onofri, Silvano, Ott, Sieglinde, Pacelli, Claudia, Podolich, Olga, Rabbow, Elke, Reitz, Günther, Rettberg, Petra, Reva, Oleg, Rothschild, Lynn, Sancho, Leo Garcia, Schulze-Makuch, Dirk, Selbmann, Laura, Serrano, Paloma, Szewzyk, Ulrich, Verseux, Cyprien, Wadsworth, Jennifer, Wagner, Dirk, Westall, Frances, Wolter, David, Zucconi, Laura, de Vera, Jean-Pierre, Alawi, Mashal, Backhaus, Theresa, Baqué, Mickael, Billi, Daniela, Böttger, Ute, Berger, Thomas, Bohmeier, Maria, Cockell, Charles, Demets, René, de la Torre Noetzel, Rosa, Edwards, Howell, Elsaesser, Andreas, Fagliarone, Claudia, Fiedler, Annelie, Foing, Bernard, Foucher, Frédéric, Fritz, Jörg, Hanke, Franziska, Herzog, Thomas, Horneck, Gerda, Hübers, Heinz-Wilhelm, Huwe, Björn, Joshi, Jasmin, Kozyrovska, Natalia, Kruchten, Martha, Lasch, Peter, Lee, Natuschka, Leuko, Stefan, Leya, Thomas, Lorek, Andreas, Martínez-Frías, Jesús, Meessen, Joachim, Moritz, Sophie, Moeller, Ralf, Olsson-Francis, Karen, Onofri, Silvano, Ott, Sieglinde, Pacelli, Claudia, Podolich, Olga, Rabbow, Elke, Reitz, Günther, Rettberg, Petra, Reva, Oleg, Rothschild, Lynn, Sancho, Leo Garcia, Schulze-Makuch, Dirk, Selbmann, Laura, Serrano, Paloma, Szewzyk, Ulrich, Verseux, Cyprien, Wadsworth, Jennifer, Wagner, Dirk, Westall, Frances, Wolter, David, and Zucconi, Laura

Abstract

BIOMEX (BIOlogy and Mars EXperiment) is an ESA/Roscosmos space exposure experiment housed within the exposure facility EXPOSE-R2 outside the Zvezda module on the International Space Station (ISS). The design of the multiuser facility supports—among others—the BIOMEX investigations into the stability and level of degradation of space-exposed biosignatures such as pigments, secondary metabolites, and cell surfaces in contact with a terrestrial and Mars analog mineral environment. In parallel, analysis on the viability of the investigated organisms has provided relevant data for evaluation of the habitability of Mars, for the limits of life, and for the likelihood of an interplanetary transfer of life (theory of lithopanspermia). In this project, lichens, archaea, bacteria, cyanobacteria, snow/permafrost algae, meristematic black fungi, and bryophytes from alpine and polar habitats were embedded, grown, and cultured on a mixture of martian and lunar regolith analogs or other terrestrial minerals. The organisms and regolith analogs and terrestrial mineral mixtures were then exposed to space and to simulated Mars-like conditions by way of the EXPOSE-R2 facility. In this special issue, we present the first set of data obtained in reference to our investigation into the habitability of Mars and limits of life. This project was initiated and implemented by the BIOMEX group, an international and interdisciplinary consortium of 30 institutes in 12 countries on 3 continents. Preflight tests for sample selection, results from ground-based simulation experiments, and the space experiments themselves are presented and include a complete overview of the scientific processes required for this space experiment and postflight analysis. The presented BIOMEX concept could be scaled up to future exposure experiments on the Moon and will serve as a pretest in low Earth orbit.

24. Biosignature stability in space enables their use for life detection on Mars

Author

Baqué, Mickael, Backhaus, Theresa, Meeßen, Joachim, Hanke, Franziska, Böttger, Ute, Ramkissoon, Nisha, Olsson-Francis, Karen, Baumgärtner, Michael, Billi, Daniela, Cassaro, Alessia, de la Torre Noetzel, Rosa, Demets, René, Edwards, Howell, Ehrenfreund, Pascale, Elsaesser, Andreas, Foing, Bernard, Foucher, Frédéric, Huwe, Björn, Joshi, Jasmin, Kozyrovska, Natalia, Lasch, Peter, Lee, Natuschka, Leuko, Stefan, Onofri, Silvano, Ott, Sieglinde, Pacelli, Claudia, Rabbow, Elke, Rothschild, Lynn, Schulze-Makuch, Dirk, Selbmann, Laura, Serrano, Paloma, Szewzyk, Ulrich, Verseux, Cyprien, Wagner, Dirk, Westall, Frances, Zucconi, Laura, de Vera, Jean-Pierre P., Baqué, Mickael, Backhaus, Theresa, Meeßen, Joachim, Hanke, Franziska, Böttger, Ute, Ramkissoon, Nisha, Olsson-Francis, Karen, Baumgärtner, Michael, Billi, Daniela, Cassaro, Alessia, de la Torre Noetzel, Rosa, Demets, René, Edwards, Howell, Ehrenfreund, Pascale, Elsaesser, Andreas, Foing, Bernard, Foucher, Frédéric, Huwe, Björn, Joshi, Jasmin, Kozyrovska, Natalia, Lasch, Peter, Lee, Natuschka, Leuko, Stefan, Onofri, Silvano, Ott, Sieglinde, Pacelli, Claudia, Rabbow, Elke, Rothschild, Lynn, Schulze-Makuch, Dirk, Selbmann, Laura, Serrano, Paloma, Szewzyk, Ulrich, Verseux, Cyprien, Wagner, Dirk, Westall, Frances, Zucconi, Laura, and de Vera, Jean-Pierre P.

Abstract

Two rover missions to Mars aim to detect biomolecules as a sign of extinct or extant life with, among other instruments, Raman spectrometers. However, there are many unknowns about the stability of Raman-detectable biomolecules in the martian environment, clouding the interpretation of the results. To quantify Raman-detectable biomolecule stability, we exposed seven biomolecules for 469 days to a simulated martian environment outside the International Space Station. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) strongly changed the Raman spectra signals, but only minor change was observed when samples were shielded from UVR. These findings provide support for Mars mission operations searching for biosignatures in the subsurface. This experiment demonstrates the detectability of biomolecules by Raman spectroscopy in Mars regolith analogs after space exposure and lays the groundwork for a consolidated space-proven database of spectroscopy biosignatures in targeted environments.

25. Limits of Life and the Habitability of Mars: The ESA Space Experiment BIOMEX on the ISS.

Author

de Vera JP, Alawi M, Backhaus T, Baqué M, Billi D, Böttger U, Berger T, Bohmeier M, Cockell C, Demets R, de la Torre Noetzel R, Edwards H, Elsaesser A, Fagliarone C, Fiedler A, Foing B, Foucher F, Fritz J, Hanke F, Herzog T, Horneck G, Hübers HW, Huwe B, Joshi J, Kozyrovska N, Kruchten M, Lasch P, Lee N, Leuko S, Leya T, Lorek A, Martínez-Frías J, Meessen J, Moritz S, Moeller R, Olsson-Francis K, Onofri S, Ott S, Pacelli C, Podolich O, Rabbow E, Reitz G, Rettberg P, Reva O, Rothschild L, Sancho LG, Schulze-Makuch D, Selbmann L, Serrano P, Szewzyk U, Verseux C, Wadsworth J, Wagner D, Westall F, Wolter D, and Zucconi L

Subjects
Biofilms, Cyanobacteria radiation effects, Deinococcus physiology, Deinococcus radiation effects, Extraterrestrial Environment, Lichens radiation effects, Marchantia physiology, Marchantia radiation effects, Methanosarcina physiology, Methanosarcina radiation effects, Minerals, Ultraviolet Rays, Cyanobacteria physiology, Exobiology, Lichens physiology, Mars
Abstract

BIOMEX (BIOlogy and Mars EXperiment) is an ESA/Roscosmos space exposure experiment housed within the exposure facility EXPOSE-R2 outside the Zvezda module on the International Space Station (ISS). The design of the multiuser facility supports-among others-the BIOMEX investigations into the stability and level of degradation of space-exposed biosignatures such as pigments, secondary metabolites, and cell surfaces in contact with a terrestrial and Mars analog mineral environment. In parallel, analysis on the viability of the investigated organisms has provided relevant data for evaluation of the habitability of Mars, for the limits of life, and for the likelihood of an interplanetary transfer of life (theory of lithopanspermia). In this project, lichens, archaea, bacteria, cyanobacteria, snow/permafrost algae, meristematic black fungi, and bryophytes from alpine and polar habitats were embedded, grown, and cultured on a mixture of martian and lunar regolith analogs or other terrestrial minerals. The organisms and regolith analogs and terrestrial mineral mixtures were then exposed to space and to simulated Mars-like conditions by way of the EXPOSE-R2 facility. In this special issue, we present the first set of data obtained in reference to our investigation into the habitability of Mars and limits of life. This project was initiated and implemented by the BIOMEX group, an international and interdisciplinary consortium of 30 institutes in 12 countries on 3 continents. Preflight tests for sample selection, results from ground-based simulation experiments, and the space experiments themselves are presented and include a complete overview of the scientific processes required for this space experiment and postflight analysis. The presented BIOMEX concept could be scaled up to future exposure experiments on the Moon and will serve as a pretest in low Earth orbit.

Published
2019
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