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Review

Space Microbiology

Gerda Horneck, David M. Klaus, Rocco L. Mancinelli
Gerda Horneck
1German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Division, 51170 Cologne, Germany
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David M. Klaus
2BioServe Space Technologies, Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0429
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Rocco L. Mancinelli
3Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe, SETI Institute, 515 N. Whisman Rd., Mountain View, California 94043
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  • For correspondence: rocco.l.mancinelli@nasa.gov
DOI: 10.1128/MMBR.00016-09
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SUMMARY

SUMMARY The responses of microorganisms (viruses, bacterial cells, bacterial and fungal spores, and lichens) to selected factors of space (microgravity, galactic cosmic radiation, solar UV radiation, and space vacuum) were determined in space and laboratory simulation experiments. In general, microorganisms tend to thrive in the space flight environment in terms of enhanced growth parameters and a demonstrated ability to proliferate in the presence of normally inhibitory levels of antibiotics. The mechanisms responsible for the observed biological responses, however, are not yet fully understood. A hypothesized interaction of microgravity with radiation-induced DNA repair processes was experimentally refuted. The survival of microorganisms in outer space was investigated to tackle questions on the upper boundary of the biosphere and on the likelihood of interplanetary transport of microorganisms. It was found that extraterrestrial solar UV radiation was the most deleterious factor of space. Among all organisms tested, only lichens (Rhizocarpon geographicum and Xanthoria elegans) maintained full viability after 2 weeks in outer space, whereas all other test systems were inactivated by orders of magnitude. Using optical filters and spores of Bacillus subtilis as a biological UV dosimeter, it was found that the current ozone layer reduces the biological effectiveness of solar UV by 3 orders of magnitude. If shielded against solar UV, spores of B. subtilis were capable of surviving in space for up to 6 years, especially if embedded in clay or meteorite powder (artificial meteorites). The data support the likelihood of interplanetary transfer of microorganisms within meteorites, the so-called lithopanspermia hypothesis.

  • Copyright © 2010 American Society for Microbiology
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Space Microbiology
Gerda Horneck, David M. Klaus, Rocco L. Mancinelli
Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews Mar 2010, 74 (1) 121-156; DOI: 10.1128/MMBR.00016-09

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Space Microbiology
Gerda Horneck, David M. Klaus, Rocco L. Mancinelli
Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews Mar 2010, 74 (1) 121-156; DOI: 10.1128/MMBR.00016-09
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    • SUMMARY
    • INTRODUCTION
    • MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDIES IN THE SPACE ENVIRONMENT OR USING FACILITIES SIMULATING CONDITIONS OF OUTER SPACE
    • ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
    • REFERENCES
    • Author Bios
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KEYWORDS

Environmental Microbiology
Extraterrestrial Environment

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