Saccharomyces cerevisiae Archives - Astrobiology

A) A close-up, exploded view of the spinpod optical system and diagram of operations. To take fluorescence measurements, excitation light first passes through a bidirectional optical probe from the LED light source to illuminate liquid cultures encased in a spinpod. Fluorescence emission then returns through the optical probe to the spectrometer for measurement, through a longpass filter that reduces signal from the excitation wavelength. To take optical density measurements, a red LED mounted toward the optical probe but on the opposite side of the spinpod illuminates the spinpod ("OD illumination hardware"). This light passes through the spinpod and to the spectrometer without filtering. The spinpod is housed in two joined Carrier Extenders with additional Carrier Extenders placed inline as spacers. B) Photograph of the system diagrammed in panel A; optical probe is in front. Tape has been applied to the outside of carrier extenders to shield the optical path from external light. C) and D) Rear and front close-up views, respectively, of the OD illumination hardware. -- biorxiv.org

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Life Support Systems, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Space Stations, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors

Real-time, In Situ Fluorescence And Optical Density Measurements Of Liquid Cultures In Simulated Microgravity

by Keith CowingMarch 30, 2026March 30, 2026

As human space exploration expands to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, there is a growing need to study the effects of altered gravity on the microbial systems that we will […]

(A) The model of EnINpro is colored by different domains with arrows representing β strands. The model highlights a β-solenoid fold (gray, purple) adjacent to the disulfide capping motif (orange). (B) Cross section through the central domain region. Residues are identified by their one-letter codes. Boxes indicated the location of the characteristic TQT, SLT, and YGS motifs. (C) Cross section of the central domain’s capping structure, where adjacent cysteine residues can form disulfide bonds that likely stabilize the β-solenoid fold. -- Science Advances via PubMed

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Icy Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report

Fungal Species Discovered With The Ability To Freeze Water

by Keith CowingMarch 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Ice-nucleating proteins (INpros) catalyze ice formation at high subzero temperatures, with major biological and environmental implications.

Assembly of cytoplasmic RNP condensates (yellow dots) in yeast cells in response to stress (Image: Riya Dhage)

Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Plant Biology, Press Release, Radiation, Space Life Science

Can Yeast Survive On Mars?

by Keith CowingMarch 9, 2026March 9, 2026

Baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is an indispensable ingredient in making bread, beer, and biotechnology products. But this humble organism also holds clues to something more cosmic – how life could […]

edc3Δlsm4C mutant is defective in condensate assembly and demonstrates an extended lag phase in sodium perchlorate stress. Microscopy analysis for edc3Δlsm4ΔC mutant strain upon—A) exposure to 5.6 Mach intensity shock waves, B) continuous sodium perchlorate (NaClO4) treatment. Dcp2-mCherry and Pab1-GFP are the markers of P-bodies and stress granules, respectively. Scale Bar, 2 µm. Comparison of the growth curve for wild-type and edc3Δlsm4ΔC mutant—C) grown in continuous 100 mM sodium perchlorate, E) postexposure to 5.6 M intensity shock. D) Graph depicting growth rate in wild-type and edc3Δlsm4ΔC upon sodium perchlorate stress obtained from Fig. 3C (n = 4); F) Lag time for wild-type and edc3Δlsm4ΔC mutant obtained from Fig. 3E (n = 3 biological replicates); G) Survival of wild-type and edc3Δlsm4ΔC post continuous treatment with 100 mM sodium perchlorate shown as CFU. H) Quantification for CFU obtained from Fig. 3G (n = 6 biological replicates). In the above experiments, error bars represent the SEM. The significance of the data was calculated by Tukey’s multiple comparison test for growth curves and two-tailed paired student t test for CFU assay with P-values summarized as: ****, P < 0.0001 ***, P < 0.005; **, P < 0.01; *, P < 0.05. -- PNAS Nexu

Analog Studies, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Icy Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release

Can Yeast Survive On Mars?

by Keith CowingOctober 27, 2025October 27, 2025

Baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is an indispensable ingredient in making bread, beer, and biotechnology products. But this humble organism also holds clues to something more cosmic – how life could […]

Assembly of ribonucleoprotein condensates in response to Mars-like stress conditions. Credit Dhage et al. -- Indian Institute of Science (IISc)

Analog Studies, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release

Yeast Survives Martian Conditions

by Keith CowingOctober 15, 2025October 15, 2025

Any life on Mars in the past, present, or future would have to contend with challenging conditions including, among others, shock waves from meteorite impacts and soil perchlorates—highly oxidizing salts […]

Evolved macroscopic "snowflake" yeast from the MuLTEE experiment. The large size of the nuclei (yellow) and cells (cyan) are results of whole-genome duplication and aneuploidy. Credit Georgia Institute of Technology

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release

Whole-genome Duplication Drives Long-term Adaptation

by Keith CowingApril 5, 2025

Sometimes, the most significant scientific discoveries happen by accident.