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Project Progress

Life Beyond the Planet of Origin (dm)

Progress during the first part of this project began September 1, 2000. Several team members have isolated halophiles from nature, and testing has begun to determine radiation resistance, as part opf a study to evaluate linkages between mechaisms of resistence to salt and to ionizing radiation. A new study has begun on the DNA damage resistance of Dunaliella salina, an extremely halophilic eukaryotic alga. We have explored new techniques to assess damage resistance, and ways to measure gene activation upon rehydration of yeast.

Previous experiments have shown that halophytic organisms isolated from salterns and intertidal environments can survive a two-week exposure to the space environment. Using the space simulation facility at the DLR in Cologne, Germany, we have completed a series of ground simulation experiments using a halophytic cyanobacterium from the genus Synechococcus spp. We have exposed this organism to vacuum desiccation and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These experiments reveal that these organisms can survive exposure to UV radiation and vacuum desiccation for at least six months and probably longer.