Adaptation of an Antarctic lichen to Martian niche conditions can occur within 34 days

Vera, Jean‐Pierre de; Schulze‐Makuch, Dirk; Khan, Afshin; Lorek, Andreas; Koncz, Alexander; Möhlmann, D.; Spohn, Tilman

doi:10.1016/j.pss.2013.07.014

Cited by 88 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Eukaryotes (e.g. lichens, microcolonial fungi and tardigrades) have also been studied, and shown a high resistance against the extreme conditions Jänchen et al 2015, Onofri et al 2004, 2012, Sancho et al 2007, de la Torre et al 2010, 2014b. In addition, fossil traces of primitive prokaryotes in well-preserved rocks from the early Earth constitute ideal analogues for potential primitive life forms on the early Mars (Westall et al 2015a(Westall et al , 2015b.…”

Section: Planetary Field Analogue Environments On Earthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Monitoring of the UV-climatology and microclimatology, as well as parallel physiological activity determination is a fundamental step to compare the seasonal adaptations of extremophile organisms to their natural habitat with the resistance to simulated space-and planetary conditions (de la Torre 2002, de la Torre et al 2004, de Vera et al 2014b. Community studies are performed by in situ exposure of the microbial population in environmental samples (e.g.…”

Section: Planetary Field Analogue Environments On Earthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lichens have also been studied as they have multiple protective mechanisms. These allow lichens to grow in some of the most extreme environments on Earth (de Vera et al 2004Vera et al , 2014b. Using field campaigns, lichens are collected as "fresh samples" directly from their natural habitat.…”

Section: Planetary Field Analogue Environments On Earthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Using field campaigns, lichens are collected as "fresh samples" directly from their natural habitat. For example, samples of the lichen Pleopsidium chlorophanum and Buelia frigida were collected in Mars-analogue dry, cold and UV-irradiated environments in the North Victoria Land Mountains in Antarctica (de Vera et al 2014b, or the vagrant lichen, such as Circinaria fruticulosa originally from continental deserts and arid areas of Middle Asia, Eurasia, North America and Northern Africa, and thus well adapted to harsh environmental conditions (e.g. heat, drought, and high levels of solar UV radiation) have been collected on clayey soils in continental high basins of Central Spain.…”

Section: Planetary Field Analogue Environments On Earthmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

et al. 2017

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Scientists use the Earth as a tool for astrobiology by analyzing planetary field analogues (i.e. terrestrial samples and field sites that resemble planetary bodies in our Solar System). In addition, they expose the selected planetary field analogues in simulation chambers to conditions that mimic the ones of planets, moons and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space conditions, as well as the chemistry occurring in interstellar and cometary ices. This paper reviews the ways the Earth is used by astrobiologists: (i) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extant life from extreme environments, its metabolisms, adaptation strategies and modern biosignatures; (ii) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extinct life from the oldest rocks on our planet and its biosignatures; (iii) by exposing terrestrial samples to simulated space or planetary environments and producing a sample analogue to investigate changes in minerals, biosignatures and microorganisms. The European Space Agency (ESA) created a topical team in 2011 to investigate recent activities using the Earth as a tool for astrobiology and to formulate recommendations and scientific needs to improve ground-based astrobiological research. Space is an important tool for astrobiology (see Horneck et al. in Astrobiology, 16:201-243, 2016;Cottin et al., 2017), but access to space is limited. Complementing research on Earth provides fast access, more replications and higher sample throughput. The major conclusions of the topical team and suggestions for the future include more scientifically qualified calls for field campaigns with planetary analogy, and a centralized point of contact at ESA or the EU for the organization of a survey of such expeditions. An improvement of the coordinated logistics, infrastructures and funding system supporting the combination of field work with planetary simulation investigations, as well as an optimization of the scientific return and data processing, data storage and data distribution is also needed. Finally, a coordinated EU or ESA education and outreach program would improve the participation of the public in the astrobiological activities.

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Section: Planetary Field Analogue Environments On Earthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Planetary Field Analogue Environments On Earthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Planetary Field Analogue Environments On Earthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Planetary Field Analogue Environments On Earthmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

et al. 2017

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“…Horizontal or lateral gene transfer in prokaryotes (Jain et al 2002;Koonin et al 2001), along with their faster reproduction rates, which favor higher recombination and mutation rates might have allowed quick adaptation to the environmental changes that occurred during the transition from the Noachian to the Hesperian (Andrews-Hanna and Lewis 2011). Thus, based on current knowledge regarding of the adaptive capacities of microorganisms that are capable of survival under simulated Martian conditions (de la Vega et al 2007;de Vera et al 2010de Vera et al , 2014Schirmack et al 2013;Wassmann et al 2012), the possibility that extant life is present in certain well-defined habitats on Mars cannot be completely excluded (Bauermeister et al 2014).…”

Section: Is Mars Still Habitable?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Astrobiology and the Possibility of Life on Earth and Elsewhere…

et al. 2015

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Astrobiology is an interdisciplinary scientific field not only focused on the search of extraterrestrial life, but also on deciphering the key environmental parameters that have enabled the emergence of life on Earth. Understanding these physical and chemical parameters is fundamental knowledge necessary not only for discovering life or signs of life on other planets, but also for understanding our own terrestrial environment. Therefore, astrobiology pushes us to combine different perspectives such as the conditions on the primitive Earth, the Team of interdisciplinary scientists focused on astrobiology to review the profound transformations in the field that have occurred since the beginning of the new century. The present paper is an interdisciplinary review of current research in astrobiology, covering the major advances and main outlooks in the field. The following subjects will be reviewed and most recent discoveries will be highlighted: the new understanding of planetary system formation including the specificity of the Earth among the diversity of planets, the origin of water on Earth and its unique combined properties among solvents for the emergence of life, the idea that the Earth could have been habitable during the Hadean Era, the inventory of endogenous and exogenous sources of organic matter and new concepts about how chemistry could evolve towards biological molecules and biological systems. In addition, many new findings show the remarkable potential life has for adaptation and survival in extreme environments. All those results from different fields of science are guiding our perspectives and strategies to look for life in other Solar System objects as well as beyond, in extrasolar worlds.

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Biomolecules in Space: The Way to Search for Life on Mars

Vera

2020

SpringerBriefs in Space Life Sciences

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Adaptation of an Antarctic lichen to Martian niche conditions can occur within 34 days

Cited by 88 publications

References 29 publications

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

Astrobiology and the Possibility of Life on Earth and Elsewhere…

Biomolecules in Space: The Way to Search for Life on Mars

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