Microbial contamination in spacecraft poses a threat to crew health and operational integrity. Currently, microbial reduction aboard the International Space Station (ISS) relies on rigorous cleaning, which is time-consuming for […]
microbiome
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Cryobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Origin & Evolution of Life, Sample Return, Status Report
Subsurface Life On Earth As A Key To Unlock Extraterrestrial Mysteries
The first forms of life on Earth were microbial, preceding the evolution of multicellular life by more than two billion years.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astronauts and Explorers, Away Teams & Field Reports, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Desert Worlds, Exploration Gear & Tech, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Polar / Alpine Expeditions, Press Release, Sample Return
Caves On Earth As Proxies For Martian Subsurface Environments
On planet Earth, the inner part of cave systems represents an extreme and isolated environment, characterized by relatively stable microclimatic conditions, nutrient limitation and protection from external stressors such as […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Desert Worlds, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report, Terraforming & Geoengineering
The Role Of Extremophile Microbiomes In Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars toward sustainable life-supporting ecosystems poses unprecedented challenges. Extremophilic microbes, which thrive in Earth’s most extreme environments, offer promising biological strategies for initial Mars colonization providing tools for resource […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report
Obelisks: Newly-Discovered Viroid-like Colonists Of Human Microbiomes
Editor’s note: researchers were surprised recently when an unexpected and rather novel biological structure was found inside the cells of the human gut. Nicknamed “obelisks” due to their shape, these […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report
Extremotolerant Bacteria Identified In The NASA Mars Phoenix Cleanroom
Abstract Background Human-designed oligotrophic environments, such as cleanrooms, harbor unique microbial communities shaped by selective pressures like temperature, humidity, nutrient availability, cleaning reagents, and radiation. Maintaining the biological cleanliness of […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Space Life Science, Status Report
C. elegans Biological Investigation on Microbiome Effect in Space (CBIOMES)
The CBIOMES experiment will study the interactions between microbiomes and their hosts using the model organism C. elegans (a nematode worm).
Posted inLife Support Systems, Microgravity, Plant Biology, Press Release, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science, Space Stations
Offworld Botany: Plant Habitat-07 On-orbit Experiment Reveals Impact of Water Stress on Lettuce Plants
During his long stay aboard the ISS Astronaut Butch Wilmore tended the Advanced Plant Habitat experiment (known as PH-07) and returned with the science specimens on Crew-9.
Posted inArctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Ocean World Biodiversity: Climate Affects Microbial Life Around Antarctica
Coordinated measurements throughout one year This study was a first, integrating data on bacteria and microbial eukaryotes (small organisms summarized as ‘microorganisms’, including phytoplankton). Samples were taken at two Antarctic […]
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Nomenclature, Systematics, Natural History, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Life Thrives In The Deepest Ocean: New Discoveries From The Mariana Trench
The latest scientific research at the deepest part of the ocean has revealed something extraordinary – biodiversity is extensive and flourishing despite the extreme conditions.