Expose-R2 Archives - Astrobiology

Synteny plot showing scytonemin and MAAs gene clusters with protein similarities referred to Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 057, taken as reference. Module 1 (in yellow) contains the genes for the biosynthesis of scytonemin monomers and dimers; Module 2 (in darkgreen) is responsible for aromatic amino acid substrates biosynthesis; Module 3 (in red) is made up of the genes for the export of scytonemin; Module 4 is responsible for response regulation to UV radiation; Cyanoexosortase module (in lightgreen) responsible for the export of scytonemin; MAAs module (in purple) containing MAAs biosynthetic genes; Shared Chroococcidiopsis genes (in pink) characterized by genes present in all investigated strains; Singleton genes module (in grey) containing genes present only in one species.-- FEMS Microbes

Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments

Comparative Genomics Of Space-resilient Chroococcidiopsis Cyanobacteria Reveals A Core Genetic Repertoire Supporting Extreme Tolerance Towards Desert And Non-Earth Conditions

by Keith CowingJuly 28, 2026July 28, 2026

[FEMS Microbes] Desert cyanobacteria of the Chroococcidiopsis genus, due to their remarkable desiccation and radiation tolerance, are considered model candidates in the field of astrobiology.

Bacteriophage T7 structural model at atomic resolution. This structural model has been constructed in UCSF Chimera software putting together all the structures that compose bacteriophage T7 using cryoEM reconstructions and pdb structures. By Dr. Victor Padilla-Sanchez, PhD from Washington Metropolitan University. drvictorpadilla@aol.com Cite as: Dr. Victor Padilla-Sanchez, PhD. (2021). Bacteriophage T7 Structural Model at Atomic Resolution. Zenodo. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5133295 via Wikipedia

Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Panspermia, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report

Exposure of Phage T7 To Simulated Space Environment: The Effect Of Vacuum and UV-C Radiation

by Keith CowingApril 26, 2025

The experiment “Phage and Uracil Response” (PUR) will be accommodated in the EXPOSE facility of the International Space Station (ISS). Its objective is to examine and quantify the effect of […]

Expose-R2 and the PSS experiment imaged during a February 2016 EVA (Image from NASA/ESA)

Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Radiation, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors

Tricorder Tech: Antibody Resistance to Space Conditions after Exposure Outside the International Space Station

by Keith CowingApril 4, 2025April 4, 2025

Antibody-based analytical instruments are under development to detect signatures of life on planetary bodies. Antibodies are molecular recognition reagents able to detect their target at sub-nanomolar concentrations, with high affinity […]

The Expose-R2 facility on the International Space Station. As part of ESA’s Expose-R2 project, 46 species of bacteria, fungi and arthropods are inside those containers as they spend 18 months bolted to the outside of the International Space Station. The vacuum of space is sucking out the water, oxygen and other gases in the samples. Their temperature can drop to –12°C as the Station passes through Earth’s shadow, rising to 40°C at other times, and undergoing a similar process to the freeze-drying used to preserve foods. The Expose experiments are exploring the limits of terrestrial life, whether the organisms can survive in space and how the full blast of solar radiation is affecting accompanying chemicals. -- ESA (larger image)

Analog Studies, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Space Stations, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors

ISS Astrobiology Research: Photochemical Evolution of Alanine in Association with the Martian Soil Analog Montmorillonite

by Keith CowingMarch 30, 2025March 30, 2025

The Photochemistry on the Space Station (PSS) experiment was part of the European Space Agency’s EXPOSE-R2 mission and was conducted on the International Space Station from 2014 to 2016. The […]

Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Radiation, Space Stations

Expose-R2 External Space Exposure Experiment Returned From Space Station

by Keith CowingJuly 5, 2016August 14, 2022

Hitching a ride in the Soyuz capsule with Tim Peake, Yuri Malenchenko and Tim Kopra were 46 species of small organisms and more than 150 organic compounds. Their voyage was […]