Browsing by Author "Noetzel, Rosa de la Torre"
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- Lichen Vitality After a Space Flight on Board the EXPOSE-R2 Facility Outside the International Space Station: Results of the Biology and Mars ExperimentPublication . Noetzel, Rosa de la Torre; Garcia, Maria Victoria Ortega; Miller, Ana Zelia; Bassy, Olga; Granja, Carmen; Cubero, Beatriz; Jordao, Luisa; Frias, Jesus Martinez; Rabbow, Elke; Backhaus, Theresa; Ott, Sieglinde; Sancho, Leopoldo Garcia; de Vera, Jean-Pierre PaulAs part of the Biology and Mars Experiment (BIOMEX; ILSRA 2009-0834), samples of the lichen Circinaria gyrosa were placed on the exposure platform EXPOSE-R2, on the International Space Station (ISS) and exposed to space and to a Mars-simulated environment for 18 months (2014–2016) to study: (1) resistance to space and Mars-like conditions and (2) biomarkers for use in future space missions (Exo-Mars). When the experiment returned (June 2016), initial analysis showed rapid recovery of photosystem II activity in the samples exposed exclusively to space vacuum and a Mars-like atmosphere. Significantly reduced recovery levels were observed in Sun-exposed samples, and electron and fluorescence microscopy (transmission electron microscope and field emission scanning electron microscope) data indicated that this was attributable to the combined effects of space radiation and space vacuum, as unirradiated samples exhibited less marked morphological changes compared with Sun-exposed samples. Polymerase chain reaction analyses confirmed that there was DNA damage in lichen exposed to harsh space and Mars-like environmental conditions, with ultraviolet radiation combined with space vacuum causing the most damage. These findings contribute to the characterization of space- and Mars-resistant organisms that are relevant to Mars habitability.
- Survival of lichens on the ISS-II: ultrastructural and morphological changes of Circinaria gyrosa after space and Mars-like conditionsPublication . Noetzel, Rosa de la Torre; Miller, B.; Cubero, A.Z.; Sancho, L.G.; Jordao, Luisa; Rabbow, E.; Meessen, J.; Vera, J.P.Lichens are extremophile organisms, they live in the most extreme conditions, colonizing areas with extreme temperatures, high aridity condition and high UV-radiation. Therefore they have been by far the most successful settlers of the Antarctic continent. Also in the laboratory they survive temperatures near the absolute cero and absolute dryness without difficulty. Lichen species have distinct likes and dislikes when it come to the physico-chemical properties of the substrate while the group of lichens as a whole is pretty adaptable to various substrata (from rocks to glass). The main feature/aspect of their evolutionary/ecological success of this capacity is the close symbiotic relation between two organisms, a fungi and a cyanobacteria or an algae [1], allowing them to survive at real space [2] and at Mars conditions [3, 4, 5], such as that on the ISS. At the exposure platform EXPOSE-R2 on ISS (2014-2016), samples of the lichen species Circinaria gyrosa belonging to the BIOMEX experiment (Biology and Mars Experiment, ESA) [5], were exposed during 18 months to real space and to a Mars simulated environment to study Mars habitability and resistance to real space conditions. Also the identification of biomarkers was done to include them as reference for future space missions to Mars (Exo Mars). After the return of the mission at June 2016, the first preliminary analysis were performed, showing the metabolic activity a quick and complete recovery of the dark space control samples exposed to space vacuum and Mars-like atmosphere. In contrast, the samples directly exposed to space radiation showed slow recovery in reference to their observed original activity. Electron and fluorescence microscopy techniques also revealed that the viability of C. gyrosa exposed to space conditions decreased in comparison to those exposed to Mars-like environment. Moreover, differences were observed between samples positioned at level 1 and level 2. In general, TEM and FESEM observations showed that samples at level 2 (basal samples) were slightly affected in their morphology/ultrastructure by the exposure conditions. In contrast, cellular ultrastructure alterations were clearly evident for samples exposed to space radiation, which led to a shrinkage process. The cell walls were irregularly shaped and debris of the major organelles were visible. Now, the biomolecular changes of the DNA are in study by PCR and sequencing techniques. In contrast to these studies, the biogeochemical variations will be examined with spectroscopic analyses (Raman) to look for possible degradation of cell surfaces and pigments which were in contact with terrestrial rocks, and Martian analogue regolith. These experiments will contribute to answer questions on the habitability of Mars, on the likelihood of the Lithopanspermia HYPOTHESIS y [8] and will be of relevance for planetary protection issues.
- The BIOMEX experiment on board the international space station: biomolegularand bio-geochemical changes of lichens exposed to space and to mars-like conditionsPublication . Noetzel, Rosa de la Torre; ortega, M.V.; Lopez Ramirez, M.R.; Miller, A.Z.; Bassyd, O.; Granja, C.; Cubero, B.; Jordao, Luisa; Martinez Friaso, J.; Rabbow, E.; Ott, S.; Sancho, L.G.; de Vera, J.P.Exploration of the solar system is a priority research area of the AstRoMap European Astrobiology Roadmap, focusing on several research topics, such as “Life and Habitability” andan other one is “Biomarkers for easy the detection of life”. Therefore, “space platforms and laboratories”, as the EXPOSE setup installed outside the ISS, are essential to gain more knowledge of spaceand planetary environments, which might be an essential basis for improvement of the robotic and human interplanetary exploration. At the exposure platform EXPOSE-R2 on the ISS (2014-2016), samples of the astrobiological model lichen Circinaria gyrosa, a specie which was exposed 18 months to space and simulated Mars-like conditions during the BIOMEX experiment (Biology and Mars Experiment, ESA), was investigated, to study Mars’ habitability and resistance to space conditions. The data obtained by this biomarker-study after being exposed to Marslike conditions will support the analysis of data obtained during future instrumental detection operations in future space missions on Mars (i.e. ExoMars or Mars 2020).