Tardigrades are microscopic invertebrates measuring between 0.2 mm and 1.1 mm in length. They are close relatives of arthropods (spiders, insects, crustaceans), and can live in wide variety of environments. […]
Tardigrades
Posted inCryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Radiation, Status Report
Antioxidant Defense in the Toughest Animals on the Earth: Its Contribution to the Extreme Resistance of Tardigrades
Tardigrades are unique among animals in their resistance to dehydration, mainly due to anhydrobiosis and tun formation. They are also very resistant to high-energy radiation, low and high temperatures, low […]
Posted inArctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Cryobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Press Release, Tardigrades
Ice World Update: How Earth’s Record Breaking Intense Heat Wave Impacted Life In Antarctica
Summer 2024 is on track to be the hottest on record for hundreds of cities across the U.S. and globe. Even in Antarctica, during the peak of its winter, extreme […]
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Tardigrades
Trying To Understand The Tardigrade Body Plan
Tardigrades, often called “water bears”, are fascinating microscopic organisms known for their incredible resilience—they can survive anything from deadly radiation to arctic temperatures to the vacuum of space. And though […]
Posted inBiophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Panspermia, Radiation, Tardigrades
A Comparative Ultrastructure Study of the Tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus In The Hydrated State, After Desiccation and During the Process of Rehydration
Tardigrades can survive hostile environments such as desiccation by adopting a state of anhydrobiosis. Numerous tardigrade species have been described thus far, and recent genome and transcriptome analyses revealed that […]
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report, Tardigrades
Long-Term Survivability of Tardigrade Paramacrobiotus experimentalis (Eutardigrada)at Increased Magnesium Perchlorate Levels: Implications for Astrobiological Research
Perchlorate salts, including magnesium perchlorate, are highly toxic compounds that occur on Mars at levels far surpassing those on Earth and pose a significant challenge to the survival of life […]
Posted inBiophysics, Cryobiology, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Tardigrades
Molecular Sensor Enables Water Bear Hardiness By Triggering Dormancy
Tardigrades – hardy, microscopic animals commonly known as “water bears” – use a molecular sensor that detects harmful conditions in their environment, telling them when to go dormant and when […]
Posted inCryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release
Genome Analysis Of 46,000-year-old Roundworm From Siberian Permafrost Reveals Novel Species
Some organisms, such as tardigrades, rotifers, and nematodes, can survive harsh conditions by entering a dormant state known as “cryptobiosis.” In 2018, researchers from the Institute of Physicochemical and Biological […]
Posted inCryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Press Release, Space Life Science, Space Physiology & Medicine, Tardigrades
Astrobiology Spinoff: NASA Funded Research Used Tardigrade Proteins To Make A Human Health Breakthrough
University of Wyoming researchers’ study of how microscopic creatures called tardigrades survive extreme conditions has led to a major breakthrough that could eventually make life-saving treatments available to people where […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report, Tardigrades, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: New Live Imaging Technique Shows How Tardigrades Manage To Survive Dehydration
Water is essential for life, but anhydrobiotic tardigrades can survive almost complete dehydration.