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Preservation of Biomarkers from Cyanobacteria Mixed with Mars ­Like Regolith Under Simulated Martian Atmosphere and UV Flux

Baqué, Mickael and Verseux, Cyprien and Böttger, Ute and Rabbow, Elke and de Vera, Jean-Pierre Paul and Billi, Daniela (2015) Preservation of Biomarkers from Cyanobacteria Mixed with Mars ­Like Regolith Under Simulated Martian Atmosphere and UV Flux. Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres. Springer. doi: 10.1007/s11084-015-9467-9. ISSN 0169-6149.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11084-015-9467-9

Abstract

The space mission EXPOSE-R2 launched on the 24th of July 2014 to the International Space Station is carrying the BIOMEX (BIOlogy and Mars EXperiment) experiment aimed at investigating the endurance of extremophiles and stability of biomolecules under space and Mars-like conditions. In order to prepare the analyses of the returned samples, ground-based simulations were carried out in Planetary and Space Simulation facilities. During the ground-based simulations, Chroococcidiopsis cells mixed with two Martian mineral analogues (phyllosilicatic and sulfatic Mars regolith simulants) were exposed to a Martian simulated atmosphere combined or not with UV irradiation corresponding to the dose received during a 1-year-exposure in low Earth orbit (or half a Martian year on Mars). Cell survival and preservation of potential biomarkers such as photosynthetic and photoprotective pigments or DNA were assessed by colony forming ability assays, confocal laser scanning microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and PCR-based assays. DNA and photoprotective pigments (carotenoids) were detectable after simulations of the space mission (570 MJ/m² of UV 200–400 nm irradiation and Martian simulated atmosphere), even though signals were attenuated by the treatment. The fluorescence signal from photosynthetic pigments was differently preserved after UV irradiation, depending on the thickness of the samples. UV irradiation caused a high background fluorescence of the Martian mineral analogues, as revealed by Raman spectroscopy. Further investigation will be needed to ensure unambiguous identification and operations of future Mars missions. However, a 3-month exposure to a Martian simulated atmosphere showed no significant damaging effect on the tested cyanobacterial biosignatures, pointing out the relevance of the latter for future investigations after the EXPOSE-R2 mission. Data gathered during the ground-based simulations will contribute to interpret results from space experiments and guide our search for life on Mars.

Item URL in elib:https://elib.dlr.de/99296/
Document Type:Article
Title:Preservation of Biomarkers from Cyanobacteria Mixed with Mars ­Like Regolith Under Simulated Martian Atmosphere and UV Flux
Authors:
AuthorsInstitution or Email of AuthorsAuthor's ORCID iDORCID Put Code
Baqué, MickaelDepartment of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, ItalyUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Verseux, CyprienDepartment of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, ItalyUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Böttger, UteGerman Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Berlin, GermanyUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Rabbow, ElkeRadiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Köln, GermanyUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
de Vera, Jean-Pierre PaulGerman Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Berlin, GermanyUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Billi, DanielaDepartment of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy and Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome, ItalyUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Date:2015
Journal or Publication Title:Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres
Refereed publication:Yes
Open Access:No
Gold Open Access:No
In SCOPUS:Yes
In ISI Web of Science:Yes
DOI:10.1007/s11084-015-9467-9
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0169-6149
Status:Published
Keywords:Astrobiology, Cyanobacteria, Biosignatures, Martian regoliths, EXPOSE-R2
HGF - Research field:Aeronautics, Space and Transport
HGF - Program:Space
HGF - Program Themes:Research under Space Conditions
DLR - Research area:Raumfahrt
DLR - Program:R FR - Research under Space Conditions
DLR - Research theme (Project):R - Vorhaben Strahlenbiologie (old)
Location: Berlin-Adlershof , Köln-Porz
Institutes and Institutions:Institute of Aerospace Medicine > Radiation Biology
Institute of Planetary Research > Experimentelle Planetenphysik
Institute of Planetary Research > Leitungsbereich PF
Institute of Optical Sensor Systems
Deposited By: Kopp, Kerstin
Deposited On:10 Nov 2015 15:20
Last Modified:06 Sep 2019 15:29

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