Tardigrades survive exposure to space in low Earth orbit

Jonsson, Kjell; Rabbow, Elke; Schill, Ralph O.; Harms‐Ringdahl, Mats; Rettberg, Petra

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2008.06.048

Cited by 374 publications

(287 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…However, DNA may be the sensitive target of spores exposed to ultrahigh shock pressures (Moeller et al 2008). As another extreme example, tardigrades, which are among the most desiccation and radiation-tolerant animals, have been shown to survive extreme levels of ionizing radiation (Horikawa et al 2006), temperatures of −273°C (Becquerel 1950) and the vacuum of space (Jönsson et al 2008). Whereas microgravity and radiation had no effect on the survival nor DNA integrity of active tardigrades (Rebecchi et al 2009), after being exposed to the space environment for 12 days, tardigrades molted and females laid eggs (Rebecchi et al 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

PCR-based analysis of microbial communities during the EuroGeoMars campaign at Mars Desert Research Station, Utah

Thiel

Ehrenfreund

Foing

et al. 2011

International Journal of Astrobiology

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Abstract:The search for evidence of past or present life on Mars will require the detection of markers that indicate the presence of life. Because deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is found in all known living organisms, it is considered to be a 'biosignature' of life. The main function of DNA is the long-term storage of genetic information, which is passed on from generation to generation as hereditary material. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a revolutionary technique which allows a single fragment or a small number of fragments of a DNA molecule to be amplified millions of times, making it possible to detect minimal traces of DNA. The compactness of the contemporary PCR instruments makes routine sample analysis possible with a minimum amount of laboratory space. Furthermore the technique is effective, robust and straightforward. Our goal was to establish a routine for the detection of DNA from micro-organisms using the PCR technique during the EuroGeoMars simulation campaign. This took place at the Mars Society's Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah in February 2009 (organized with the support of the International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG), NASA Ames and the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC)). During the MDRS simulation, we showed that it is possible to establish a minimal molecular biology lab in the habitat for the immediate on-site analysis of samples by PCR after sample collection. Soil and water samples were taken at different locations and soil depths. The sample analysis was started immediately after the crew returned to the habitat laboratory. DNA was isolated from micro-organisms and used as a template for PCR analysis of the highly conserved ribosomal DNA to identify representatives of the different groups of micro-organisms (bacteria, archaea and eukarya). The PCR products were visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis and documented by transillumination and digital imaging. The microbial diversity in the collected samples was analysed with respect to sampling depth and the presence or absence of vegetation. For the first time, we have demonstrated that it is possible to perform direct on-site DNA analysis by PCR at MDRS, a simulated planetary habitat in an extreme environment that serves as a model for preparation and optimization of techniques to be used for future Mars exploration.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

PCR-based analysis of microbial communities during the EuroGeoMars campaign at Mars Desert Research Station, Utah

Thiel

Ehrenfreund

Foing

et al. 2011

International Journal of Astrobiology

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“…To survive drought, which occurs frequently in the habitat of moss-dwelling tardigrades, they enter a so-called tun state (Baumann 1922) and show strong resistance to physical extremes, including high and low temperatures (Ramløv and Westh 1992;Sømme 1996;Ramløv and Westh 2001;Hengherr et al 2009), high pressure (Seki and Toyoshima 1998), vacuum and ionising irradiation (Horikawa et al 2006;Jönsson et al 2008). In the anhydrobiotic state, their metabolism is barely measurable (Pigoń and Węglarska 1955).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress response in tardigrades: differential gene expression of molecular chaperones

Reuner

Hengherr

Mali

et al. 2010

Cell Stress and Chaperones

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Semi-terrestrial tardigrades exhibit a remarkable tolerance to desiccation by entering a state called anhydrobiosis. In this state, they show a strong resistance against several kinds of physical extremes. Because of the probable importance of stress proteins during the phases of dehydration and rehydration, the relative abundance of transcripts coding for two α-crystallin heat-shock proteins (MtsHsp17.2 and Mt-sHsp19.5), as well for the heat-shock proteins Mt-sHsp10, Mt-Hsp60, Mt-Hsp70 and Mt-Hsp90, were analysed in active and anhydrobiotic tardigrades of the species Milnesium tardigradum. They were also analysed in the transitional stage (I) of dehydration, the transitional stage (II) of rehydration and in heat-shocked specimens. A variable pattern of expression was detected, with most candidates being downregulated. Gene transcripts of one Mt-hsp70 isoform in the transitional stage I and Mt-hsp90 in the anhydrobiotic stage were significantly upregulated. A high gene expression (778.6-fold) was found for the small α-crystallin heat-shock protein gene Mt-sHsp17.2 after heat shock. We discuss the limited role of the stress-gene expression in the transitional stages between the active and anhydrobiotic tardigrades and other mechanisms which allow tardigrades to survive desiccation.

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“…Its experiments and samples were mainly selected for testing space radiation, temperature changes and collision with space debris, on engineering materials, with the prospect of building future spacecraft and space stations. Some experiments concerning the survival of spores and tomato seeds were conducted and proved their radiation resistance after recovery (Kahn and Stoffella 1996).…”

Section: Ldefmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Examples of organisms exposed in space ( (Cockell et al 2011;Jönsson et al 2008). In addition, the bacteriophages T1 and T7, the tobacco mosaic virus, and plasmid DNA (pBR322, pUC19) also have been investigated .…”

Section: A Extremophilesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Space as a Tool for Astrobiology: Review and Recommendations for Experimentations in Earth Orbit and Beyond

et al. 2017

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The space environment is regularly used for experiments addressing astrobiology research goals. The specific conditions prevailing in Earth orbit and beyond, notably the radiative environment (photons and energetic particles) and the possibility to conduct long-duration measurements, have been the main motivations for developing experimental concepts to expose chemical or biological samples to outer space, or to use the reentry of a spacecraft on Earth to simulate the fall of a meteorite. This paper represents an overview of past and current research in astrobiology conducted in Earth orbit and beyond, with a special focus on ESA missions such as Biopan, STONE (on Russian FOTON capsules) and EXPOSE facilities (outside the International Space Station). The future of exposure platforms is discussed, notably how they can be improved for better science return, and how to incorporate the use of small satellites such as those built in cubesat format.

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Tardigrades survive exposure to space in low Earth orbit

Cited by 374 publications

References 7 publications

PCR-based analysis of microbial communities during the EuroGeoMars campaign at Mars Desert Research Station, Utah

PCR-based analysis of microbial communities during the EuroGeoMars campaign at Mars Desert Research Station, Utah

Stress response in tardigrades: differential gene expression of molecular chaperones

Space as a Tool for Astrobiology: Review and Recommendations for Experimentations in Earth Orbit and Beyond

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