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Symeonidou E, Jørgensen UG, Madsen MB, Priemé A. Effects of temperature, chloride and perchlorate salt concentration on the metabolic activity of Deinococcus radiodurans. Extremophiles 2024; 28:34. [PMID: 39044042 PMCID: PMC11266278 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-024-01351-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
The extremophile bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans is characterized by its ability to survive and sustain its activity at high levels of radiation and is considered an organism that might survive in extraterrestrial environments. In the present work, we studied the combined effects of temperature and chlorine-containing salts, with focus on perchlorate salts which have been detected at high concentrations in Martian regolith, on D. radiodurans activity (CO2 production rates) and viability after incubation in liquid cultures for up to 30 days. Reduced CO2 production capacity and viability was observed at high perchlorate concentrations (up to 10% w/v) during incubation at 0 or 25 °C. Both the metabolic activity and viability were reduced as the perchlorate and chloride salt concentration increased and temperature decreased, and an interactive effect of temperature and salt concentration on the metabolic activity was found. These results indicate the ability of D. radiodurans to remain metabolically active and survive in low temperature environments rich in perchlorate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eftychia Symeonidou
- Astrophysics and Planetary Science, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for ExoLife Sciences, (CELS), Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Uffe Gråe Jørgensen
- Astrophysics and Planetary Science, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for ExoLife Sciences, (CELS), Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Bo Madsen
- Astrophysics and Planetary Science, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for ExoLife Sciences, (CELS), Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Priemé
- Center for ExoLife Sciences, (CELS), Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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2
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Jimenez M, L'Heureux J, Kolaya E, Liu GW, Martin KB, Ellis H, Dao A, Yang M, Villaverde Z, Khazi-Syed A, Cao Q, Fabian N, Jenkins J, Fitzgerald N, Karavasili C, Muller B, Byrne JD, Traverso G. Synthetic extremophiles via species-specific formulations improve microbial therapeutics. NATURE MATERIALS 2024:10.1038/s41563-024-01937-6. [PMID: 38969782 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-024-01937-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Microorganisms typically used to produce food and pharmaceuticals are now being explored as medicines and agricultural supplements. However, maintaining high viability from manufacturing until use remains an important challenge, requiring sophisticated cold chains and packaging. Here we report synthetic extremophiles of industrially relevant gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, Ensifer meliloti), gram-positive bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum) and yeast (Saccharomyces boulardii). We develop a high-throughput pipeline to define species-specific materials that enable survival through drying, elevated temperatures, organic solvents and ionizing radiation. Using this pipeline, we enhance the stability of E. coli Nissle 1917 by more than four orders of magnitude over commercial formulations and demonstrate its capacity to remain viable while undergoing tableting and pharmaceutical processing. We further show, in live animals and plants, that synthetic extremophiles remain functional against enteric pathogens and as nitrogen-fixing plant supplements even after exposure to elevated temperatures. This synthetic, material-based stabilization enhances our capacity to apply microorganisms in extreme environments on Earth and potentially during exploratory space travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Jimenez
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Johanna L'Heureux
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Emily Kolaya
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gary W Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kyle B Martin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Husna Ellis
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alfred Dao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Margaret Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Zachary Villaverde
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Afeefah Khazi-Syed
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Qinhao Cao
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Niora Fabian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Joshua Jenkins
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nina Fitzgerald
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Christina Karavasili
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin Muller
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James D Byrne
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Giovanni Traverso
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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3
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Li X, Bai W, Yang Q, Yin B, Zhang Z, Zhao B, Kuang T, Zhang Y, Zhang D. The extremotolerant desert moss Syntrichia caninervis is a promising pioneer plant for colonizing extraterrestrial environments. Innovation (N Y) 2024; 5:100657. [PMID: 39071942 PMCID: PMC11282406 DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2024.100657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Many plans to establish human settlements on other planets focus on adapting crops to growth in controlled environments. However, these settlements will also require pioneer plants that can grow in the soils and harsh conditions found in extraterrestrial environments, such as those on Mars. Here, we report the extraordinary environmental resilience of Syntrichia caninervis, a desert moss that thrives in various extreme environments. S. caninervis has remarkable desiccation tolerance; even after losing >98% of its cellular water content, it can recover photosynthetic and physiological activities within seconds after rehydration. Intact plants can tolerate ultra-low temperatures and regenerate even after being stored in a freezer at -80°C for 5 years or in liquid nitrogen for 1 month. S. caninervis also has super-resistance to gamma irradiation and can survive and maintain vitality in simulated Mars conditions; i.e., when simultaneously exposed to an anoxic atmosphere, extreme desiccation, low temperatures, and intense UV radiation. Our study shows that S. caninervis is among the most stress tolerant organisms. This work provides fundamental insights into the multi-stress tolerance of the desert moss S. caninervis, a promising candidate pioneer plant for colonizing extraterrestrial environments, laying the foundation for building biologically sustainable human habitats beyond Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshuang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Wenwan Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qilin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Benfeng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Zhenlong Zhang
- National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Banchi Zhao
- National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Tingyun Kuang
- Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Yuanming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Daoyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
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4
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Kaur J, Kaur J, Nigam A. Extremophiles in Space Exploration. Indian J Microbiol 2024; 64:418-428. [PMID: 39010991 PMCID: PMC11246395 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-024-01297-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In the era of deep space exploration, extremophile research represents a key area of research w.r.t space survival. This review thus delves into the intriguing realm of 'Space and Astro Microbiology', providing insights into microbial survival, resilience, and behavioral adaptations in space-like environments. This discussion encompasses the modified behavior of extremophilic microorganisms, influencing virulence, stress resistance, and gene expression. It then shifts to recent studies on the International Space Station and simulated microgravity, revealing microbial responses that impact drug susceptibility, antibiotic resistance, and its commercial implications. The review then transitions into Astro microbiology, exploring the possibilities of interplanetary transit, lithopanspermia, and terraforming. Debates on life's origin and recent Martian meteorite discoveries are noted. We also discuss Proactive Inoculation Protocols for selecting adaptable microorganisms as terraforming pioneers. The discussion concludes with a note on microbes' role as bioengineers in bioregenerative life support systems, in recycling organic waste for sustainable space travel; and in promoting optimal plant growth to prepare Martian and lunar basalt. This piece emphasizes the transformative impact of microbes on the future of space exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasvinder Kaur
- Gargi College, University of Delhi, Siri Fort Road, New Delhi, 110 049 India
| | - Jaspreet Kaur
- Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110 021 India
| | - Aeshna Nigam
- Shivaji College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110 027 India
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5
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Fischer FC, Schulze-Makuch D, Heinz J. Microbial preference for chlorate over perchlorate under simulated shallow subsurface Mars-like conditions. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11537. [PMID: 38773211 PMCID: PMC11109124 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62346-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The Martian surface and shallow subsurface lacks stable liquid water, yet hygroscopic salts in the regolith may enable the transient formation of liquid brines. This study investigated the combined impact of water scarcity, UV exposure, and regolith depth on microbial survival under Mars-like environmental conditions. Both vegetative cells of Debaryomyces hansenii and Planococcus halocryophilus, alongside with spores of Aspergillus niger, were exposed to an experimental chamber simulating Martian environmental conditions (constant temperatures of about - 11 °C, low pressure of approximately 6 mbar, a CO2 atmosphere, and 2 h of daily UV irradiation). We evaluated colony-forming units (CFU) and water content at three different regolith depths before and after exposure periods of 3 and 7 days, respectively. Each organism was tested under three conditions: one without the addition of salts to the regolith, one containing sodium chlorate, and one with sodium perchlorate. Our results reveal that the residual water content after the exposure experiments increased with regolith depth, along with the organism survival rates in chlorate-containing and salt-free samples. The survival rates of the three organisms in perchlorate-containing regolith were consistently lower for all organisms and depths compared to chlorate, with the most significant difference being observed at a depth of 10-12 cm, which corresponds to the depth with the highest residual water content. The postulated reason for this is an increase in the salt concentration at this depth due to the freezing of water, showing that for these organisms, perchlorate brines are more toxic than chlorate brines under the experimental conditions. This underscores the significance of chlorate salts when considering the habitability of Martian environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Carlo Fischer
- Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, RG Astrobiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dirk Schulze-Makuch
- Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, RG Astrobiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Plankton and Microbial Ecology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Stechlin, Germany
| | - Jacob Heinz
- Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, RG Astrobiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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6
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Clavé E, Beyssac O, Bernard S, Royer C, Lopez-Reyes G, Schröder S, Rammelkamp K, Forni O, Fau A, Cousin A, Manrique JA, Ollila A, Madariaga JM, Aramendia J, Sharma SK, Fornaro T, Maurice S, Wiens RC. Radiation-induced alteration of apatite on the surface of Mars: first in situ observations with SuperCam Raman onboard Perseverance. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11284. [PMID: 38760365 PMCID: PMC11101483 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61494-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Planetary exploration relies considerably on mineral characterization to advance our understanding of the solar system, the planets and their evolution. Thus, we must understand past and present processes that can alter materials exposed on the surface, affecting space mission data. Here, we analyze the first dataset monitoring the evolution of a known mineral target in situ on the Martian surface, brought there as a SuperCam calibration target onboard the Perseverance rover. We used Raman spectroscopy to monitor the crystalline state of a synthetic apatite sample over the first 950 Martian days (sols) of the Mars2020 mission. We note significant variations in the Raman spectra acquired on this target, specifically a decrease in the relative contribution of the Raman signal to the total signal. These observations are consistent with the results of a UV-irradiation test performed in the laboratory under conditions mimicking ambient Martian conditions. We conclude that the observed evolution reflects an alteration of the material, specifically the creation of electronic defects, due to its exposure to the Martian environment and, in particular, UV irradiation. This ongoing process of alteration of the Martian surface needs to be taken into account for mineralogical space mission data analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Clavé
- DLR - Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, Berlin, Germany.
| | - O Beyssac
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, CNRS, UMR 7590, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - S Bernard
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, CNRS, UMR 7590, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - C Royer
- Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales, CNRS, Univ. Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Sorbonne Univ, Guyancourt, France
| | - G Lopez-Reyes
- Research Group ERICA, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - S Schröder
- DLR - Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, Berlin, Germany
| | - K Rammelkamp
- DLR - Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, Berlin, Germany
| | - O Forni
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, CNRS, CNES, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - A Fau
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, CNRS, CNES, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - A Cousin
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, CNRS, CNES, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - J A Manrique
- Research Group ERICA, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - A Ollila
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | - J M Madariaga
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - J Aramendia
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - S K Sharma
- Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - T Fornaro
- INAF-Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi 5, 50125, Firenze, Italy
| | - S Maurice
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, CNRS, CNES, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - R C Wiens
- Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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7
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Pak S, Cucinotta FA. Tissue-specific dose equivalents of secondary mesons and leptons during galactic cosmic ray exposures for mars exploration. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 41:29-42. [PMID: 38670650 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
During a human mission to Mars, astronauts would be continuously exposed to galactic cosmic rays (GCR) consisting of high energy protons and heavier ions coming from outside our solar system. Due to their high energy, GCR ions can penetrate spacecraft and space habitat structures, directly reaching human organs. Additionally, they generate secondary particles when interacting with shielding materials and human tissues. Baryon secondaries have been the focus of many previous studies, while meson and lepton secondaries have been considered to a much lesser extent. In this work, we focus on assessing the tissue-specific dose equivalents and the effective dose for males of secondary mesons and leptons for the interplanetary cruise phase and the surface phase on Mars. We also provide the energy distribution of the secondary pions in each human organ since they are dominant compared to other mesons and leptons. For this calculation, the PHITS3.27 Monte Carlo simulation toolkit is used to compute the energy spectra of particles in organs in a realistic human phantom. Based on the simulation data, the dose equivalent has been estimated with radiation quality factors in ICRP Publication 60 and in the latest NASA Space Cancer Risk model (NSCR-2022). The effective dose is then assessed with the tissue weighting factors in ICRP Publication 103 and in the NSCR model, separately. The results indicate that the contribution of secondary mesons and leptons to the total effective dose is 6.1 %, 9.1 %, and 11.3 % with the NSCR model in interplanetary space behind 5, 20, and 50 g/cm2 aluminum shielding, respectively, with similar values using the ICRP model. The outcomes of this work lead to an improved understanding of the potential health risks induced by secondary particles for exploration missions to Mars and other destinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungmin Pak
- Department of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, United States
| | - Francis A Cucinotta
- Department of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, United States.
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8
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Bramble MS, Hand KP. Spectral evidence for irradiated halite on Mars. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5503. [PMID: 38448458 PMCID: PMC10917766 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55979-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The proposed chloride salt-bearing deposits on Mars have an enigmatic composition due to the absence of distinct spectral absorptions for the unique mineral at all wavelengths investigated. We report on analyses of remote visible-wavelength spectroscopic observations that exhibit properties indicative of the mineral halite (NaCl) when irradiated. Visible spectra of halite are generally featureless, but when irradiated by high-energy particles they develop readily-identifiable spectral alterations in the form of color centers. Consistent spectral characteristics observed in the reflectance data of the chloride salt-bearing deposits support the presence of radiation-formed color centers of halite on the surface of Mars. We observe a seasonal cycle of color center formation with higher irradiated halite values during winter months, with the colder temperatures interpreted as increasing the formation efficiency and stability. Irradiated halite identified on the surface of Mars suggests that the visible surface is being irradiated to the degree that defects are forming in alkali halide crystal structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Bramble
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA, 91109, USA.
| | - Kevin P Hand
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA, 91109, USA
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9
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Wilanowska PA, Rzymski P, Kaczmarek Ł. Long-Term Survivability of Tardigrade Paramacrobiotus experimentalis (Eutardigrada) at Increased Magnesium Perchlorate Levels: Implications for Astrobiological Research. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:335. [PMID: 38541660 PMCID: PMC10971682 DOI: 10.3390/life14030335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Perchlorate salts, including magnesium perchlorate, are highly toxic compounds that occur on Mars at levels far surpassing those on Earth and pose a significant challenge to the survival of life on this planet. Tardigrades are commonly known for their extraordinary resistance to extreme environmental conditions and are considered model organisms for space and astrobiological research. However, their long-term tolerance to perchlorate salts has not been the subject of any previous studies. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess whether the tardigrade species Paramacrobiotus experimentalis can survive and grow in an environment contaminated with high levels of magnesium perchlorates (0.25-1.0%, 1.5-6.0 mM ClO4- ions). The survival rate of tardigrades decreased with an increase in the concentration of the perchlorate solutions and varied from 83.3% (0.10% concentration) to 20.8% (0.25% concentration) over the course of 56 days of exposure. Tardigrades exposed to 0.15-0.25% magnesium perchlorate revealed significantly decreased body length. Our study indicates that tardigrades can survive and grow in relatively high concentrations of magnesium perchlorates, largely exceeding perchlorate levels observed naturally on Earth, indicating their potential use in Martian experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Anna Wilanowska
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, 61-614 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Łukasz Kaczmarek
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, 61-614 Poznań, Poland;
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10
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Spry JA, Siegel B, Bakermans C, Beaty DW, Bell MS, Benardini JN, Bonaccorsi R, Castro-Wallace SL, Coil DA, Coustenis A, Doran PT, Fenton L, Fidler DP, Glass B, Hoffman SJ, Karouia F, Levine JS, Lupisella ML, Martin-Torres J, Mogul R, Olsson-Francis K, Ortega-Ugalde S, Patel MR, Pearce DA, Race MS, Regberg AB, Rettberg P, Rummel JD, Sato KY, Schuerger AC, Sefton-Nash E, Sharkey M, Singh NK, Sinibaldi S, Stabekis P, Stoker CR, Venkateswaran KJ, Zimmerman RR, Zorzano-Mier MP. Planetary Protection Knowledge Gap Closure Enabling Crewed Missions to Mars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2024; 24:230-274. [PMID: 38507695 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2023.0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
As focus for exploration of Mars transitions from current robotic explorers to development of crewed missions, it remains important to protect the integrity of scientific investigations at Mars, as well as protect the Earth's biosphere from any potential harmful effects from returned martian material. This is the discipline of planetary protection, and the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) maintains the consensus international policy and guidelines on how this is implemented. Based on National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency (ESA) studies that began in 2001, COSPAR adopted principles and guidelines for human missions to Mars in 2008. At that point, it was clear that to move from those qualitative provisions, a great deal of work and interaction with spacecraft designers would be necessary to generate meaningful quantitative recommendations that could embody the intent of the Outer Space Treaty (Article IX) in the design of such missions. Beginning in 2016, COSPAR then sponsored a multiyear interdisciplinary meeting series to address planetary protection "knowledge gaps" (KGs) with the intent of adapting and extending the current robotic mission-focused Planetary Protection Policy to support the design and implementation of crewed and hybrid exploration missions. This article describes the outcome of the interdisciplinary COSPAR meeting series, to describe and address these KGs, as well as identify potential paths to gap closure. It includes the background scientific basis for each topic area and knowledge updates since the meeting series ended. In particular, credible solutions for KG closure are described for the three topic areas of (1) microbial monitoring of spacecraft and crew health; (2) natural transport (and survival) of terrestrial microbial contamination at Mars, and (3) the technology and operation of spacecraft systems for contamination control. The article includes a KG data table on these topic areas, which is intended to be a point of departure for making future progress in developing an end-to-end planetary protection requirements implementation solution for a crewed mission to Mars. Overall, the workshop series has provided evidence of the feasibility of planetary protection implementation for a crewed Mars mission, given (1) the establishment of needed zoning, emission, transport, and survival parameters for terrestrial biological contamination and (2) the creation of an accepted risk-based compliance approach for adoption by spacefaring actors including national space agencies and commercial/nongovernment organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Corien Bakermans
- Department of Biology, Penn. State University (Altoona), Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David W Beaty
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | | | | | - Rosalba Bonaccorsi
- SETI Institute, Mountain View, California, USA
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | | | - David A Coil
- School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | | | - Peter T Doran
- Department of Geology & Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Lori Fenton
- SETI Institute, Mountain View, California, USA
| | - David P Fidler
- Council on Foreign Relations, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Brian Glass
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | | | - Fathi Karouia
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | - Joel S Levine
- College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Javier Martin-Torres
- School of Geoscience, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (CSIC-UGR), Armilla, Spain
| | - Rakesh Mogul
- California Polytechnic (Pomona), Pomona, California, USA
| | - Karen Olsson-Francis
- School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | | | - Manish R Patel
- School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - David A Pearce
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - John D Rummel
- Friday Harbor Associates LLC, Friday Harbor, Washington, USA
| | | | - Andrew C Schuerger
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Merritt Island, Florida, USA
| | | | - Matthew Sharkey
- US Department of Health & Human Services, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Nitin K Singh
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | | | | | - Carol R Stoker
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
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11
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Neukart F. Towards sustainable horizons: A comprehensive blueprint for Mars colonization. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26180. [PMID: 38404830 PMCID: PMC10884476 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
This paper thoroughly explores the feasibility, challenges, and proposed solutions for establishing a sustainable human colony on Mars. We quantitatively and qualitatively analyze the Martian environment, highlighting key challenges such as radiation exposure, which astronauts could experience at minimum levels of 0.66 sieverts during a round trip, and the complications arising from Mars' thin atmosphere and extreme temperature variations. Technological advancements are examined, including developing Martian concrete, which utilizes sulfur as a binding agent, and innovative life support strategies like aeroponics and algae bioreactors. The human aspect of colonization is addressed, focusing on long-term space habitation's psychological and physiological impacts. We also present a cost-benefit analysis of in-situ resource utilization versus Earth-based supply missions, emphasizing economic viability with the potential reduction in launch costs through reusable rocket technology. A timeline for the colonization process is suggested, spanning preliminary unmanned missions for resource assessment, followed by short-term manned missions leading to sustainable settlements over several decades. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research, particularly in refining resource utilization techniques and advancing health and life support systems, to solidify the foundation for Mars colonization. This comprehensive assessment aims to guide researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders in planning and executing a strategic and informed approach to making Mars colonization a reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Neukart
- Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science, Snellius Gebouw, Niels Bohrweg 1, Leiden, 2333 CA, South Holland, Netherlands
- Terra Quantum AG, Kornhausstrasse 25, St. Gallen, 9000, St. Gallen, Switzerland
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12
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Mehdizadeh A, Mortazavi SMJ, Sihver L. Evaluating the Strength of a Hypothesis on How Terrestrial Organisms Overcame the Loss of Water's Protective Shield. J Biomed Phys Eng 2024; 14:1-4. [PMID: 38357603 PMCID: PMC10862118 DOI: 10.31661/jbpe.v0i0.2309-1662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Mehdizadeh
- Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Javad Mortazavi
- Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Lembit Sihver
- Department of Radiation Physics, Technische Universität Wien, Atominstitut, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the CAS, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Physics, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
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13
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Chou J, Ramroop JR, Saravia-Butler AM, Wey B, Lera MP, Torres ML, Heavner ME, Iyer J, Mhatre SD, Bhattacharya S, Govind S. Drosophila parasitoids go to space: Unexpected effects of spaceflight on hosts and their parasitoids. iScience 2024; 27:108759. [PMID: 38261932 PMCID: PMC10797188 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
While fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) and humans exhibit immune system dysfunction in space, studies examining their immune systems' interactions with natural parasites in space are lacking. Drosophila parasitoid wasps modify blood cell function to suppress host immunity. In this study, naive and parasitized ground and space flies from a tumor-free control and a blood tumor-bearing mutant strain were examined. Inflammation-related genes were activated in space in both fly strains. Whereas control flies did not develop tumors, tumor burden increased in the space-returned tumor-bearing mutants. Surprisingly, control flies were more sensitive to spaceflight than mutant flies; many of their essential genes were downregulated. Parasitoids appeared more resilient than fly hosts, and spaceflight did not significantly impact wasp survival or the expression of their virulence genes. Previously undocumented mutant wasps with novel wing color and wing shape were isolated post-flight and will be invaluable for host-parasite studies on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Chou
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Johnny R. Ramroop
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Amanda M. Saravia-Butler
- KBR NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Brian Wey
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
- PhD Program in Biology, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Matthew P. Lera
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Medaya L. Torres
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Bionetics, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Mary Ellen Heavner
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
- PhD Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Janani Iyer
- KBR NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Universities Space Research Association, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Siddhita D. Mhatre
- KBR NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | | | - Shubha Govind
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
- PhD Program in Biology, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
- PhD Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
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14
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Malatesta P, Kyriakidis K, Hada M, Ikeda H, Takahashi A, Saganti PB, Georgakilas AG, Michalopoulos I. Differential Gene Expression in Human Fibroblasts Simultaneously Exposed to Ionizing Radiation and Simulated Microgravity. Biomolecules 2024; 14:88. [PMID: 38254688 PMCID: PMC10812944 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
During future space missions, astronauts will be exposed to cosmic radiation and microgravity (μG), which are known to be health risk factors. To examine the differentially expressed genes (DEG) and their prevalent biological processes and pathways as a response to these two risk factors simultaneously, 1BR-hTERT human fibroblast cells were cultured under 1 gravity (1G) or simulated μG for 48 h in total and collected at 0 (sham irradiated), 3 or 24 h after 1 Gy of X-ray or Carbon-ion (C-ion) irradiation. A three-dimensional clinostat was used for the simulation of μG and the simultaneous radiation exposure of the samples. The RNA-seq method was used to produce lists of differentially expressed genes between different environmental conditions. Over-representation analyses were performed and the enriched biological pathways and targeting transcription factors were identified. Comparing sham-irradiated cells under simulated μG and 1G conditions, terms related to response to oxygen levels and muscle contraction were identified. After irradiation with X-rays or C-ions under 1G, identified DEGs were found to be involved in DNA damage repair, signal transduction by p53 class mediator, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis pathways. The same enriched pathways emerged when cells were irradiated under simulated μG condition. Nevertheless, the combined effect attenuated the transcriptional response to irradiation which may pose a subtle risk in space flights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina Malatesta
- Center of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.M.); (K.K.)
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kyriakidis
- Center of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.M.); (K.K.)
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Megumi Hada
- Radiation Institute for Science & Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA; (M.H.); (P.B.S.)
| | - Hiroko Ikeda
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, Higashiosaka 577-8502, Japan;
| | - Akihisa Takahashi
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan;
| | - Premkumar B. Saganti
- Radiation Institute for Science & Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA; (M.H.); (P.B.S.)
| | - Alexandros G. Georgakilas
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Michalopoulos
- Center of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.M.); (K.K.)
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15
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Hart R, Cardace D. Mineral Indicators of Geologically Recent Past Habitability on Mars. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2349. [PMID: 38137950 PMCID: PMC10744562 DOI: 10.3390/life13122349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
We provide new support for habitable microenvironments in the near-subsurface of Mars, hosted in Fe- and Mg-rich rock units, and present a list of minerals that can serve as indicators of specific water-rock reactions in recent geologic paleohabitats for follow-on study. We modeled, using a thermodynamic basis without selective phase suppression, the reactions of published Martian meteorites and Jezero Crater igneous rock compositions and reasonable planetary waters (saline, alkaline waters) using Geochemist's Workbench Ver. 12.0. Solid-phase inputs were meteorite compositions for ALH 77005, Nakhla, and Chassigny, and two rock units from the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover sites, Máaz and Séítah. Six plausible Martian groundwater types [NaClO4, Mg(ClO4)2, Ca(ClO4)2, Mg-Na2(ClO4)2, Ca-Na2(ClO4)2, Mg-Ca(ClO4)2] and a unique Mars soil-water analog solution (dilute saline solution) named "Rosy Red", related to the Phoenix Lander mission, were the aqueous-phase inputs. Geophysical conditions were tuned to near-subsurface Mars (100 °C or 373.15 K, associated with residual heat from a magmatic system, impact event, or a concentration of radionuclides, and 101.3 kPa, similar to <10 m depth). Mineral products were dominated by phyllosilicates such as serpentine-group minerals in most reaction paths, but differed in some important indicator minerals. Modeled products varied in physicochemical properties (pH, Eh, conductivity), major ion activities, and related gas fugacities, with different ecological implications. The microbial habitability of pore spaces in subsurface groundwater percolation systems was interrogated at equilibrium in a thermodynamic framework, based on Gibbs Free Energy Minimization. Models run with the Chassigny meteorite produced the overall highest H2 fugacity. Models reliant on the Rosy Red soil-water analog produced the highest sustained CH4 fugacity (maximum values observed for reactant ALH 77005). In general, Chassigny meteorite protoliths produced the best yield regarding Gibbs Free Energy, from an astrobiological perspective. Occurrences of serpentine and saponite across models are key: these minerals have been observed using CRISM spectral data, and their formation via serpentinization would be consistent with geologically recent-past H2 and CH4 production and sustained energy sources for microbial life. We list index minerals to be used as diagnostic for paleo water-rock models that could have supported geologically recent-past microbial activity, and suggest their application as criteria for future astrobiology study-site selections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Hart
- Department of Physics and Engineering, Community College of Rhode Island, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA
- Department of Geosciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA;
| | - Dawn Cardace
- Department of Geosciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA;
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16
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Dixit AR, Meyers AD, Richardson B, Richards JT, Richards SE, Neelam S, Levine HG, Cameron MJ, Zhang Y. Simulated galactic cosmic ray exposure activates dose-dependent DNA repair response and down regulates glucosinolate pathways in arabidopsis seedlings. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1284529. [PMID: 38162303 PMCID: PMC10757676 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1284529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Outside the protection of Earth's magnetic field, organisms are constantly exposed to space radiation consisting of energetic protons and other heavier charged particles. With the goal of crewed Mars exploration, the production of fresh food during long duration space missions is critical for meeting astronauts' nutritional and psychological needs. However, the biological effects of space radiation on plants have not been sufficiently investigated and characterized. To that end, 10-day-old Arabidopsis seedlings were exposed to simulated Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) and assessed for transcriptomic changes. The simulated GCR irradiation was carried out in the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Lab (BNL). The exposures were conducted acutely for two dose points at 40 cGy or 80 cGy, with sequential delivery of proton, helium, oxygen, silicon, and iron ions. Control and irradiated seedlings were then harvested and preserved in RNAlater at 3 hrs post irradiation. Total RNA was isolated for transcriptomic analyses using RNAseq. The data revealed that the transcriptomic responses were dose-dependent, with significant upregulation of DNA repair pathways and downregulation of glucosinolate biosynthetic pathways. Glucosinolates are important for plant pathogen defense and for the taste of a plant, which are both relevant to growing plants for spaceflight. These findings fill in knowledge gaps of how plants respond to radiation in beyond-Earth environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirudha R. Dixit
- AETOS Systems Inc., LASSO II Contract, Huntsville, AL, United States
| | - Alexander D. Meyers
- NASA Postdoctoral Program, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, United States
| | | | | | | | - Srujana Neelam
- NASA Postdoctoral Program, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, United States
| | - Howard G. Levine
- NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, FL, United States
| | - Mark J. Cameron
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Ye Zhang
- NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, FL, United States
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17
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Cassaro A, Pacelli C, Baqué M, Maturilli A, Böttger U, Fujimori A, Moeller R, de Vera JPP, Onofri S. Spectroscopic investigations of fungal biomarkers after exposure to heavy ion irradiation. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2023; 302:123073. [PMID: 37453382 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.123073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The main objective of the ongoing and future space exploration missions is the search for traces of extant or extinct life (biomarkers) on Mars. One of the main limiting factors on the survival of Earth-like life is the presence of harmful space radiation, that could damage or modify also biomolecules, therefore understanding the effects of radiation on terrestrial biomolecules stability and detectability is of utmost importance. Which terrestrial molecules could be preserved in a Martian radiation scenario? Here, we investigated the potential endurance of fungal biomolecules, by exposing de-hydrated colonies of the Antarctic cryptoendolithic black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus mixed with Antarctic sandstone and with two Martian regolith analogues to increasing doses (0, 250 and 1000 Gy) of accelerated ions, namely iron (Fe), argon (Ar) and helium (He) ions. We analyzed the feasibility to detect fungal compounds with Raman and Infrared spectroscopies after exposure to these space-relevant radiations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Cassaro
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - C Pacelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; Italian Space Agency, Via del Politecnico snc, Rome, Italy.
| | - M Baqué
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Planetary Laboratories Department Berlin, Germany
| | - A Maturilli
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Planetary Laboratories Department Berlin, Germany
| | - U Böttger
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Optical Sensor Systems Berlin, Germany
| | - A Fujimori
- Molecular and Cellular Radiation Biology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences for Radiation Damages, NIRS/QST, Chiba, Japan
| | - R Moeller
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Space Microbiology Research Group, DLR, Linder Höhe, D-51147 Köln, Germany; University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (BRSU), Natural Sciences, von-Liebig-Straße 20, D-53359 Rheinbach, Germany
| | - J-P P de Vera
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Space Operations and Astronaut Training, MUSC, Linder Höhe, D-51147 Köln, Germany; University of Potsdam, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, WG Biodiversity/ Systematic Botany, Maulbeerallee 1, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - S Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
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18
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Aureli L, Coleine C, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Ahren D, Cemmi A, Di Sarcina I, Onofri S, Selbmann L. Geography and environmental pressure are predictive of class-specific radioresistance in black fungi. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2931-2942. [PMID: 37775957 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Black fungi are among the most resistant organisms to ionizing radiation on Earth. However, our current knowledge is based on studies on a few isolates, while the overall radioresistance limits across this microbial group and the relationship with local environmental conditions remain largely undetermined. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed the survival of 101 strains of black fungi isolated across a worldwide spatial distribution to gamma radiation doses up to 100 kGy. We found that intra and inter-specific taxonomy, UV radiation, and precipitation levels primarily influence the radioresistance in black fungi. Altogether, this study provides insights into the adaptive mechanisms of black fungi to extreme environments and highlights the role of local adaptation in shaping the survival capabilities of these extreme-tolerant organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Aureli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun), Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Dag Ahren
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Biology, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden (NBIS), Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Alessia Cemmi
- Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA FSN-FISS-SNI), Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Sarcina
- Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA FSN-FISS-SNI), Rome, Italy
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
- Mycological Section, Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), Genoa, Italy
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19
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Zeitlin C, Castro AJ, Beard KB, Abdelmelek M, Hayes BM, Johnson AS, Stoffle N, Rios RR. Results from the Radiation Assessment Detector on the International Space Station: Part 1, the Charged Particle Detector. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2023; 39:67-75. [PMID: 37945091 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
We report the results of the first six years of measurements of the energetic particle radiation environment on the International Space Station (ISS) with the Radiation Assessment Detector (ISS-RAD), spanning the period from February 2016 to February 2022. The first RAD was designed and built for MSL, the Mars Science Laboratory rover, also known as Curiosity; it has been operating on Mars since 2012 and is referred to here as MSL-RAD. ISS-RAD combines two sensor heads, one nearly identical to the single MSL-RAD sensor head, the other with greatly enhanced sensitivity to fast neutrons. These two sensor heads are referred to as the Charged Particle Detector (CPD) and Fast Neutron Detector (FND), respectively. Despite its name, the CPD is also capable of measuring high-energy neutrons and γ-rays, as is MSL-RAD. ISS-RAD was flown to the ISS in December 2015 and was deployed in February 2016, initially in the USLab module. RAD was used as a survey instrument from January 2017 through May 2020, when the instrument was positioned in the USLab and set to a zenith-pointing orientation. The energetic particle environment on the ISS is complex and varies on short time scales owing to the orbit, which has a 51.6∘ inclination with respect to the equator and has had an altitude in the 400-440 km range in this time period. The ISS moves continuously through the geomagnetic field, the strength of which varies with latitude, longitude, and altitude. The orbit passes through the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) several times a day, where magnetically trapped protons and electrons produce large but transient increases in observed fluxes and absorbed dose rates. The environment inside the ISS is affected by the solar cycle, altitude, and the local shielding, which varies between different ISS modules. We report results for charged particle absorbed dose and dose equivalent rates in various positions in the ISS. In an accompanying paper, we report similar results for neutron dose equivalent rates obtained with the ISS-RAD Fast Neutron Detector.
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20
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Narici L, Berger T. Radiation in human space exploration: Detectors and measurements, today and tomorrow. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2023; 39:1-2. [PMID: 37945082 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Livio Narici
- Department of Physics, University of Rome Tor Vergata and INFN Rome-Tor Vergata, Italy.
| | - Thomas Berger
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, 51147, Cologne, Germany
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21
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Semkova J, Koleva R, Benghin V, Krastev K, Matviichuk Y, Tomov B, Maltchev S, Dachev T, Bankov N, Mitrofanov I, Malakhov A, Golovin D, Litvak M, Sanin A, Kozyrev A, Mokrousov M, Nikiforov S, Lisov D, Anikin A, Shurshakov V, Drobyshev S, Gopalswamy N. Observation of the radiation environment and solar energetic particle events in Mars orbit in May 2018- June 2022. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2023; 39:106-118. [PMID: 37945083 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The dosimeter Liulin-MO for measuring the radiation environment onboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) is a module of the Fine Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector (FREND). Here we present results from measurements of the charged particle fluxes, dose rates and estimation of dose equivalent rates at ExoMars TGO Mars science orbit, provided by Liulin-MO from May 2018 to June 2022. The period of measurements covers the declining and minimum phases of the solar activity in 24th solar cycle and the rising phase of the 25th cycle. Compared are the radiation values of the galactic cosmic rays (GCR) obtained during the different phases of the solar activity. The highest values of the dose rate and flux from GCR are registered from March to August 2020. At the minimum of 24th and transition to 25th solar cycle the dose rate from GCR is 15.9 ± 1.6 µGy h-1, particle flux is 3.3 ± 0.17 cm-2s-1, dose equivalent rate is 72.3 ± 14.4 µSv h-1. Since September 2020 the dose rate and flux of GCR decrease. Particular attention is drawn to the observation of the solar energetic particle (SEP) events in July, September and October 2021, February and March 2022 as well as their effects on the radiation environment on TGO during the corresponding periods. The SEP event during15-19 February 2022 is the most powerful event observed in our data. The SEP dose during this event is 13.8 ± 1.4 mGy (in Si), the SEP dose equivalent is 21.9 ± 4.4 mSv. SEP events recorded in Mars orbit are related to coronal mass ejections (CME) observed by SOHO and STEREO A coronagraphs. Compared are the time profiles of the count rates measured by Liulin-MO, the neutron detectors of FREND and neutron detectors of the High Energy Neutron Detector (HEND) aboard Mars Odyssey during 15-19 February 2022 event. The data obtained is important for the knowledge of the radiation environment around Mars, regarding future manned and robotic flights to the planet. The data for SEP events in Mars orbit during July 2021-March 2022 contribute to the details on the solar activity at a time when Mars is on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordanka Semkova
- Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | - Rositza Koleva
- Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Victor Benghin
- State Research Center, Institute of Biomedical Problems, Moscow, Russia
| | - Krasimir Krastev
- Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Yuri Matviichuk
- Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Borislav Tomov
- Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Stephan Maltchev
- Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Tsvetan Dachev
- Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Nikolay Bankov
- Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Igor Mitrofanov
- Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey Malakhov
- Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Golovin
- Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maxim Litvak
- Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anton Sanin
- Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Kozyrev
- Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maxim Mokrousov
- Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey Nikiforov
- Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Denis Lisov
- Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Artem Anikin
- Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Sergey Drobyshev
- State Research Center, Institute of Biomedical Problems, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nat Gopalswamy
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt Maryland, USA
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22
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Rodriguez JAP, Wilhelm MB, Travis B, Kargel JS, Zarroca M, Berman DC, Cohen J, Baker V, Lopez A, Buckner D. Exploring the evidence of Middle Amazonian aquifer sedimentary outburst residues in a Martian chaotic terrain. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17524. [PMID: 37853014 PMCID: PMC10584912 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39060-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The quest for past Martian life hinges on locating surface formations linked to ancient habitability. While Mars' surface is considered to have become cryogenic ~3.7 Ga, stable subsurface aquifers persisted long after this transition. Their extensive collapse triggered megafloods ~3.4 Ga, and the resulting outflow channel excavation generated voluminous sediment eroded from the highlands. These materials are considered to have extensively covered the northern lowlands. Here, we show evidence that a lacustrine sedimentary residue within Hydraotes Chaos formed due to regional aquifer upwelling and ponding into an interior basin. Unlike the northern lowland counterparts, its sedimentary makeup likely consists of aquifer-expelled materials, offering a potential window into the nature of Mars' subsurface habitability. Furthermore, the lake's residue's estimated age is ~1.1 Ga (~3.2 Ga post-peak aquifer drainage during the Late Hesperian), enhancing the prospects for organic matter preservation. This deposit's inferred fine-grained composition, coupled with the presence of coexisting mud volcanoes and diapirs, suggest that its source aquifer existed within abundant subsurface mudstones, water ice, and evaporites, forming part of the region's extremely ancient (~ 4 Ga) highland stratigraphy. Our numerical models suggest that magmatically induced phase segregation within these materials generated enormous water-filled chambers. The meltwater, originating from varying thermally affected mudstone depths, could have potentially harbored diverse biosignatures, which could have become concentrated within the lake's sedimentary residue. Thus, we propose that Hydraotes Chaos merits priority consideration in future missions aiming to detect Martian biosignatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Alexis P Rodriguez
- Planetary Science Institute, 1700 East Fort Lowell Road, Suite 106, Tucson, AZ, 85719-2395, USA.
- External Geodynamics and Hydrogeology Group, Department of Geology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | - Bryan Travis
- Planetary Science Institute, 1700 East Fort Lowell Road, Suite 106, Tucson, AZ, 85719-2395, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Kargel
- Planetary Science Institute, 1700 East Fort Lowell Road, Suite 106, Tucson, AZ, 85719-2395, USA
| | - Mario Zarroca
- External Geodynamics and Hydrogeology Group, Department of Geology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel C Berman
- Planetary Science Institute, 1700 East Fort Lowell Road, Suite 106, Tucson, AZ, 85719-2395, USA
| | - Jacob Cohen
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - Victor Baker
- Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Anthony Lopez
- Planetary Science Institute, 1700 East Fort Lowell Road, Suite 106, Tucson, AZ, 85719-2395, USA
| | - Denise Buckner
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
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23
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Tavakol DN, Nash TR, Kim Y, He S, Fleischer S, Graney PL, Brown JA, Liberman M, Tamargo M, Harken A, Ferrando AA, Amundson S, Garty G, Azizi E, Leong KW, Brenner DJ, Vunjak-Novakovic G. Modeling and countering the effects of cosmic radiation using bioengineered human tissues. Biomaterials 2023; 301:122267. [PMID: 37633022 PMCID: PMC10528250 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Cosmic radiation is the most serious risk that will be encountered during the planned missions to the Moon and Mars. There is a compelling need to understand the effects, safety thresholds, and mechanisms of radiation damage in human tissues, in order to develop measures for radiation protection during extended space travel. As animal models fail to recapitulate the molecular changes in astronauts, engineered human tissues and "organs-on-chips" are valuable tools for studying effects of radiation in vitro. We have developed a bioengineered tissue platform for studying radiation damage in individualized settings. To demonstrate its utility, we determined the effects of radiation using engineered models of two human tissues known to be radiosensitive: engineered cardiac tissues (eCT, a target of chronic radiation damage) and engineered bone marrow (eBM, a target of acute radiation damage). We report the effects of high-dose neutrons, a proxy for simulated galactic cosmic rays, on the expression of key genes implicated in tissue responses to ionizing radiation, phenotypic and functional changes in both tissues, and proof-of-principle application of radioprotective agents. We further determined the extent of inflammatory, oxidative stress, and matrix remodeling gene expression changes, and found that these changes were associated with an early hypertrophic phenotype in eCT and myeloid skewing in eBM. We propose that individualized models of human tissues have potential to provide insights into the effects and mechanisms of radiation during deep-space missions and allow testing of radioprotective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Trevor R Nash
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Youngbin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Siyu He
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sharon Fleischer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Pamela L Graney
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jessie A Brown
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Martin Liberman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Manuel Tamargo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Andrew Harken
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Adolfo A Ferrando
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sally Amundson
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Guy Garty
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Elham Azizi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Kam W Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - David J Brenner
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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24
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Naito M, Kusano H, Kodaira S. Global dose distributions of neutrons and gamma-rays on the Moon. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13275. [PMID: 37582838 PMCID: PMC10427620 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40405-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Dose assessment on the lunar surface is important for future long-term crewed activity. In addition to the major radiation of energetic charged particles from galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), neutrons and gamma-rays are generated by nuclear interactions of space radiation with the Moon's surface materials, as well as natural radioactive nuclides. We obtained neutron and gamma-ray ambient dose distributions on the Moon using Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations combined with the Kaguya gamma-ray spectrometer measurement dataset from February 10 to May 28, 2009. The neutron and gamma-ray dose rates varied in the ranges of 58.7-71.5 mSv/year and 3.33-3.76 mSv/year, respectively, depending on the lunar geological features. The lunar neutron dose was high in the basalt-rich mare, where the iron- and titanium-rich regions are present, due to their large average atomic mass. As expected, the lunar gamma-ray dose map was similar to the distribution of natural radioactive elements (238U, 232Th, and 40K), although the GCR-induced secondary gamma-ray dose was significant at ~ 3.4 mSv/year. The lunar secondary dose contribution resulted in an additional dose of 12-15% to the primary GCR particles. Global dose distributions on the lunar surface will help identify better locations for long-term stays and suggest radiation protection strategies for future crewed missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Naito
- National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kusano
- National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kodaira
- National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan.
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25
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Hatsuda M, Kawasaki H, Shigenaga A, Taketani A, Takanashi T, Wakabayashi Y, Otake Y, Kamata Y, Ichinose A, Nishioka H, Kimura H, Koganei Y, Komoriya S, Sakai M, Hamano Y, Yoshida M, Yamakura F. Effects of neutron radiation generated in deep space-like environments on food resources. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12479. [PMID: 37528144 PMCID: PMC10394055 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38990-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of deep space cosmic rays on food resources is as important as the risks of cosmic rays to the human body. This study demonstrates the potential for neutrons as secondary radiation in deep space spacecraft to cause meat activation and oxidative modification of proteins and lipids. We conducted a series of experiments such as the neutron irradiation experiment, the radioactivation analysis and the biochemical analysis. Neutrons with energies from 1 to 5 MeV with doses from 0.01 Gy to 4 Gy were irradiated by the RIKEN accelerated-driven neutron source (RANS). Radioactive nuclei, 24Na, 42K, and 38Cl, were detected in the neutron-irradiated meat. The modification products of the proteins by oxidative nitration, 6-nitrotryptophan (6NO2Trp), and by a lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), were detected in several proteins with neutron dose dependent. The proteome analysis showed that many oxidative modifications were detected in actin and myosin which are major proteins of myofibrils. This study is of crucial importance not only as risk factors for human space exploration, but also as fundamental effects of radiation on the components of the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Machiko Hatsuda
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan.
| | - Hiroaki Kawasaki
- Faculty of Food and Health Sciences, Showa Women's University, Tokyo, 154-8533, Japan
| | - Ayako Shigenaga
- Institute of Health and Sports Science and Medicine, Juntendo University, Chiba, 270-1695, Japan
| | - Atsushi Taketani
- RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, RIKEN, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Takaoki Takanashi
- RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, RIKEN, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yasuo Wakabayashi
- RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, RIKEN, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yoshie Otake
- RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, RIKEN, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yayoi Kamata
- Institute for Environmental and Gender-Specific Medicine, Juntendo University, Chiba, 279-0023, Japan
| | - Akari Ichinose
- Faculty of Food and Health Sciences, Showa Women's University, Tokyo, 154-8533, Japan
| | - Honoka Nishioka
- Faculty of Food and Health Sciences, Showa Women's University, Tokyo, 154-8533, Japan
| | - Hayato Kimura
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
| | - Yumi Koganei
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
| | - Shiomi Komoriya
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
| | - Miyu Sakai
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
| | - Yui Hamano
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
| | - Maria Yoshida
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
| | - Fumiyuki Yamakura
- Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
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26
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Meer E, Grob S, Antonsen EL, Sawyer A. Ocular conditions and injuries, detection and management in spaceflight. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:37. [PMID: 37193709 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00279-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ocular trauma or other ocular conditions can be significantly debilitating in space. A literature review of over 100 articles and NASA evidence books, queried for eye related trauma, conditions, and exposures was conducted. Ocular trauma and conditions during NASA space missions during the Space Shuttle Program and ISS through Expedition 13 in 2006 were reviewed. There were 70 corneal abrasions, 4 dry eyes, 4 eye debris, 5 complaints of ocular irritation, 6 chemical burns, and 5 ocular infections noted. Unique exposures on spaceflight, such as foreign bodies, including celestial dust, which may infiltrate the habitat and contact the ocular surface, as well as chemical and thermal injuries due to prolonged CO2 and heat exposure were reported. Diagnostic modalities used to evaluate the above conditions in space flight include vision questionnaires, visual acuity and Amsler grid testing, fundoscopy, orbital ultrasound, and ocular coherence tomography. Several types of ocular injuries and conditions, mostly affecting the anterior segment, are reported. Further research is necessary to understand the greatest ocular risks that astronauts face and how better we can prevent, but also diagnose and treat these conditions in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elana Meer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- University of California Space Health Program, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Seanna Grob
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Erik L Antonsen
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houstan, Texas, USA
| | - Aenor Sawyer
- University of California Space Health Program, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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27
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Diaz J, Kuhlman BM, Edenhoffer NP, Evans AC, Martin KA, Guida P, Rusek A, Atala A, Coleman MA, Wilson PF, Almeida-Porada G, Porada CD. Immediate effects of acute Mars mission equivalent doses of SEP and GCR radiation on the murine gastrointestinal system-protective effects of curcumin-loaded nanolipoprotein particles (cNLPs). FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCES 2023; 10:1117811. [PMID: 38741937 PMCID: PMC11089821 DOI: 10.3389/fspas.2023.1117811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) will expose astronauts to ionizing radiation (IR) in the form of solar energetic particles (SEP) and galactic cosmic rays (GCR) including high atomic number and energy (HZE) nuclei. The gastrointestinal (GI) system is documented to be highly radiosensitive with even relatively low dose IR exposures capable of inducing mucosal lesions and disrupting epithelial barrier function. IR is also an established risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) with several studies examining long-term GI effects of SEP/GCR exposure using tumor-prone APC mouse models. Studies of acute short-term effects of modeled space radiation exposures in wildtype mouse models are more limited and necessary to better define charged particle-induced GI pathologies and test novel medical countermeasures (MCMs) to promote astronaut safety. Methods In this study, we performed ground-based studies where male and female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to γ-rays, 50 MeV protons, or 1 GeV/n Fe-56 ions at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) with histology and immunohistochemistry endpoints measured in the first 24 h post-irradiation to define immediate SEP/GCR-induced GI alterations. Results Our data show that unlike matched γ-ray controls, acute exposures to protons and iron ions disrupts intestinal function and induces mucosal lesions, vascular congestion, epithelial barrier breakdown, and marked enlargement of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. We also measured kinetics of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair using gamma-H2AX- specific antibodies and apoptosis via TUNEL labeling, noting the induction and disappearance of extranuclear cytoplasmic DNA marked by gamma-H2AX only in the charged particle-irradiated samples. We show that 18 h pre-treatment with curcumin-loaded nanolipoprotein particles (cNLPs) delivered via IV injection reduces DSB-associated foci levels and apoptosis and restore crypt villi lengths. Discussion These data improve our understanding of physiological alterations in the GI tract immediately following exposures to modeled space radiations and demonstrates effectiveness of a promising space radiation MCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Diaz
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Bradford M. Kuhlman
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | | | - Angela C. Evans
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Kelly A. Martin
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Peter Guida
- NASA Space Radiation Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Adam Rusek
- NASA Space Radiation Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Anthony Atala
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Matthew A. Coleman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Paul F. Wilson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States
| | - Graça Almeida-Porada
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
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28
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Papadopoulos A, Kyriakou I, Incerti S, Santin G, Nieminen P, Daglis IA, Li W, Emfietzoglou D. Space radiation quality factor for Galactic Cosmic Rays and typical space mission scenarios using a microdosimetric approach. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2023; 62:221-234. [PMID: 37062024 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-023-01023-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Space radiation exposure from omnipresent Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) in interplanetary space poses a serious carcinogenic risk to astronauts due to the-limited or absent-protective effect of the Earth's magnetosphere and, in particular, the terrestrial atmosphere. The radiation risk is directly influenced by the quality of the radiation, i.e., its pattern of energy deposition at the micron/DNA scale. For stochastic biological effects, radiation quality is described by the quality factor, [Formula: see text], which can be defined as a function of Linear Energy Transfer (LET) or the microdosimetric lineal energy ([Formula: see text]). In the present work, the average [Formula: see text] of GCR for different mission scenarios was calculated using a modified version of the microdosimetric Theory of Dual Radiation Action (TDRA). NASA's OLTARIS platform was utilized to generate the radiation environment behind different aluminum shielding (0-30 g/cm2) for a typical mission scenario in low-earth orbit (LEO) and in deep space. The microdosimetric lineal energy spectra of ions ([Formula: see text]) in 1 μm liquid water spheres were calculated by a generalized analytical model which considers energy-loss fluctuations and δ-ray transport inside the irradiated medium. The present TDRA-based [Formula: see text]-values for the LEO and deep space missions were found to differ by up to 10% and 14% from the corresponding ICRP-based [Formula: see text]-values and up to 3% and 6% from NASA's [Formula: see text]-model. In addition, they were found to be in good agreement with the [Formula: see text]-values measured in the International Space Station (ISS) and by the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) which represent, respectively, a LEO and deep space orbit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Papadopoulos
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ioanna Kyriakou
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Sébastien Incerti
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, LP2I, UMR 5797, F-33170, Gradignan, France
| | - Giovanni Santin
- ESA/ESTEC Space Environments and Effects Section, ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG, Noordwijk, ZH, The Netherlands
| | - Petteri Nieminen
- ESA/ESTEC Space Environments and Effects Section, ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG, Noordwijk, ZH, The Netherlands
| | - Ioannis A Daglis
- Department of Physics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784, Athens, Greece
- Hellenic Space Center, 15231, Athens, Greece
| | - Weibo Li
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Dimitris Emfietzoglou
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece.
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29
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Roggan MD, Kronenberg J, Wollert E, Hoffmann S, Nisar H, Konda B, Diegeler S, Liemersdorf C, Hellweg CE. Unraveling astrocyte behavior in the space brain: Radiation response of primary astrocytes. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1063250. [PMID: 37089489 PMCID: PMC10116417 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1063250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionExposure to space conditions during crewed long-term exploration missions can cause several health risks for astronauts. Space radiation, isolation and microgravity are major limiting factors. The role of astrocytes in cognitive disturbances by space radiation is unknown. Astrocytes' response toward low linear energy transfer (LET) X-rays and high-LET carbon (12C) and iron (56Fe) ions was compared to reveal possible effects of space-relevant high-LET radiation. Since astronauts are exposed to ionizing radiation and microgravity during space missions, the effect of simulated microgravity on DNA damage induction and repair was investigated.MethodsPrimary murine cortical astrocytes were irradiated with different doses of X-rays, 12C and 56Fe ions at the heavy ion accelerator GSI. DNA damage and repair (γH2AX, 53BP1), cell proliferation (Ki-67), astrocytes' reactivity (GFAP) and NF-κB pathway activation (p65) were analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Cell cycle progression was investigated by flow cytometry of DNA content. Gene expression changes after exposure to X- rays were investigated by mRNA-sequencing. RT-qPCR for several genes of interest was performed with RNA from X-rays- and heavy-ion-irradiated astrocytes: Cdkn1a, Cdkn2a, Gfap, Tnf, Il1β, Il6, and Tgfβ1. Levels of the pro inflammatory cytokine IL-6 were determined using ELISA. DNA damage response was investigated after exposure to X-rays followed by incubation on a 2D clinostat to simulate the conditions of microgravity.ResultsAstrocytes showed distinct responses toward the three different radiation qualities. Induction of radiation-induced DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and the respective repair was dose-, LET- and time-dependent. Simulated microgravity had no significant influence on DNA DSB repair. Proliferation and cell cycle progression was not affected by radiation qualities examined in this study. Astrocytes expressed IL-6 and GFAP with constitutive NF-κB activity independent of radiation exposure. mRNA sequencing of X-irradiated astrocytes revealed downregulation of 66 genes involved in DNA damage response and repair, mitosis, proliferation and cell cycle regulation.DiscussionIn conclusion, primary murine astrocytes are DNA repair proficient irrespective of radiation quality. Only minor gene expression changes were observed after X-ray exposure and reactivity was not induced. Co-culture of astrocytes with microglial cells, brain organoids or organotypic brain slice culture experiments might reveal whether astrocytes show a more pronounced radiation response in more complex network architectures in the presence of other neuronal cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Denise Roggan
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Jessica Kronenberg
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
- Microgravity User Support Center (MUSC), German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Esther Wollert
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Sven Hoffmann
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
- Department of Gravitational Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Hasan Nisar
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
- Department of Medical Sciences, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Bikash Konda
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Sebastian Diegeler
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Christian Liemersdorf
- Department of Gravitational Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Christine E. Hellweg
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
- *Correspondence: Christine E. Hellweg
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Lorenz C, Bianchi E, Poggiali G, Alemanno G, Benesperi R, Brucato JR, Garland S, Helbert J, Loppi S, Lorek A, Maturilli A, Papini A, de Vera JP, Baqué M. Survivability of the lichen Xanthoria parietina in simulated Martian environmental conditions. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4893. [PMID: 36966209 PMCID: PMC10039903 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32008-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. is a widely spread foliose lichen showing high tolerance against UV-radiation thanks to parietin, a secondary lichen substance. We exposed samples of X. parietina under simulated Martian conditions for 30 days to explore its survivability. The lichen's vitality was monitored via chlorophyll a fluorescence that gives an indication for active light reaction of photosynthesis, performing in situ and after-treatment analyses. Raman spectroscopy and TEM were used to evaluate carotenoid preservation and possible variations in the photobiont's ultrastructure respectively. Significant differences in the photo-efficiency between UV irradiated samples and dark-kept samples were observed. Fluorescence values correlated with temperature and humidity day-night cycles. The photo-efficiency recovery showed that UV irradiation caused significant effects on the photosynthetic light reaction. Raman spectroscopy showed that the carotenoid signal from UV exposed samples decreased significantly after the exposure. TEM observations confirmed that UV exposed samples were the most affected by the treatment, showing chloroplastidial disorganization in photobionts' cells. Overall, X. parietina was able to survive the simulated Mars conditions, and for this reason it may be considered as a candidate for space long-term space exposure and evaluations of the parietin photodegradability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Lorenz
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via la Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bianchi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via la Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Poggiali
- LESIA-Observatoire de Paris, CNRS, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 5 Place Jules Janssen, 92190, Meudon, France
- INAF-Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi 5, 50125, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Alemanno
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Renato Benesperi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via la Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - John Robert Brucato
- INAF-Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi 5, 50125, Florence, Italy.
| | - Stephen Garland
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörn Helbert
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefano Loppi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via P. A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Andreas Lorek
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessandro Maturilli
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessio Papini
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via la Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - Jean-Pierre de Vera
- Microgravity User Support Center (MUSC), Space Operations and Astronaut Training, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | - Mickaël Baqué
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
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The Effects of Galactic Cosmic Rays on the Central Nervous System: From Negative to Unexpectedly Positive Effects That Astronauts May Encounter. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12030400. [PMID: 36979092 PMCID: PMC10044754 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Galactic cosmic rays (GCR) pose a serious threat to astronauts’ health during deep space missions. The possible functional alterations of the central nervous system (CNS) under GCR exposure can be critical for mission success. Despite the obvious negative effects of ionizing radiation, a number of neutral or even positive effects of GCR irradiation on CNS functions were revealed in ground-based experiments with rodents and primates. This review is focused on the GCR exposure effects on emotional state and cognition, emphasizing positive effects and their potential mechanisms. We integrate these data with GCR effects on adult neurogenesis and pathological protein aggregation, forming a complete picture. We conclude that GCR exposure causes multidirectional effects on cognition, which may be associated with emotional state alterations. However, the irradiation in space-related doses either has no effect or has performance enhancing effects in solving high-level cognition tasks and tasks with a high level of motivation. We suppose the model of neurotransmission changes after irradiation, although the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon are not fully understood.
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Yan L, Sun C, Zhang Y, Zhang P, Chen Y, Deng Y, Er T, Deng Y, Wang Z, Ma H. The Biological Implication of Semicarbazide-Sensitive Amine Oxidase (SSAO) Upregulation in Rat Systemic Inflammatory Response under Simulated Aerospace Environment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043666. [PMID: 36835077 PMCID: PMC9961990 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The progress of space science and technology has ushered in a new era for humanity's exploration of outer space. Recent studies have indicated that the aerospace special environment including microgravity and space radiation poses a significant risk to the health of astronauts, which involves multiple pathophysiological effects on the human body as well on tissues and organs. It has been an important research topic to study the molecular mechanism of body damage and further explore countermeasures against the physiological and pathological changes caused by the space environment. In this study, we used the rat model to study the biological effects of the tissue damage and related molecular pathway under either simulated microgravity or heavy ion radiation or combined stimulation. Our study disclosed that ureaplasma-sensitive amino oxidase (SSAO) upregulation is closely related to the systematic inflammatory response (IL-6, TNF-α) in rats under a simulated aerospace environment. In particular, the space environment leads to significant changes in the level of inflammatory genes in heart tissues, thus altering the expression and activity of SSAO and causing inflammatory responses. The detailed molecular mechanisms have been further validated in the genetic engineering cell line model. Overall, this work clearly shows the biological implication of SSAO upregulation in microgravity and radiation-mediated inflammatory response, providing a scientific basis or potential target for further in-depth investigation of the pathological damage and protection strategy under a space environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liben Yan
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Chunli Sun
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yaxi Zhang
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yu Chen
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yifan Deng
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Tianyi Er
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yulin Deng
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zhimin Wang
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
- Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (H.M.); Tel.: +86-010-68915996 (Z.W. & H.M.)
| | - Hong Ma
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (H.M.); Tel.: +86-010-68915996 (Z.W. & H.M.)
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Coulombe JV, Harrisson G, Lewis BJ, El-Jaby S. Evolving radiological protection guidelines for exploration-class missions. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2023; 36:70-77. [PMID: 36682831 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
International Space Station partner nations have yet to agree on career radiation dose constraints. This is of increasing concern for collaborative mission planning beyond low-Earth orbit, since it is likely that one or two long-duration missions will expose crew to a cumulative dose that approaches or exceeds their current respective limits. As with radiological effects, the cumulative health impact of the numerous other injuries and illnesses documented during spaceflight is inherently heightened with longer and farther missions, say to the Moon and Mars. This paper summarizes the origin of existing radiological constraints employed by the Canadian Space Agency and explores how to build upon these protection practices to address the challenges associated with beyond low-Earth orbit missions. The discussion then leads into a review of conventional risk metrics currently under evaluation by space-faring nations to quantify risk of radiation-induced cancer mortality. This paper concludes with a proposal for the application of an existing burden of disease model termed the Disability Adjusted Life Year, to space exploration. This model can accommodate the many health hazards of spaceflight, including ionizing radiation, on a common scale. It has the potential to serve as an intuitive communication tool for informing on the impact of spaceflight on crew health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn V Coulombe
- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, 286 Plant Road, Chalk River, Ontario, K0J 1J0, Canada; Department of Physics, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Geneviève Harrisson
- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, 286 Plant Road, Chalk River, Ontario, K0J 1J0, Canada
| | - Brent J Lewis
- Emeritus, Royal Military College of Canada, 13 General Crerar Crescent, Kingston, Ontario, K7K 7B4, Canada
| | - Samy El-Jaby
- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, 286 Plant Road, Chalk River, Ontario, K0J 1J0, Canada.
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Olsson-Francis K, Doran PT, Ilyin V, Raulin F, Rettberg P, Kminek G, Mier MPZ, Coustenis A, Hedman N, Shehhi OA, Ammannito E, Bernardini J, Fujimoto M, Grasset O, Groen F, Hayes A, Gallagher S, Kumar K P, Mustin C, Nakamura A, Seasly E, Suzuki Y, Peng J, Prieto-Ballesteros O, Sinibaldi S, Xu K, Zaitsev M. The COSPAR Planetary Protection Policy for robotic missions to Mars: A review of current scientific knowledge and future perspectives. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2023; 36:27-35. [PMID: 36682826 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Planetary protection guidance for martian exploration has become a notable point of discussion over the last decade. This is due to increased scientific interest in the habitability of the red planet with updated techniques, missions becoming more attainable by smaller space agencies, and both the private sector and governments engaging in activities to facilitate commercial opportunities and human-crewed missions. The international standards for planetary protection have been developed through consultation with the scientific community and the space agencies by the Committee on Space Research's (COSPAR) Panel on Planetary Protection, which provides guidance for compliance with the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. In 2021, the Panel evaluated recent scientific data and literature regarding the planetary protection requirements for Mars and the implications of this on the guidelines. In this paper, we discuss the COSPAR Planetary Protection Policy for Mars, review the new scientific findings and discuss the next steps required to enable the next generation of robotic missions to Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Olsson-Francis
- AstrobiologyOU, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK.
| | - Peter T Doran
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Vyacheslav Ilyin
- Institute for Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Francois Raulin
- Univ Paris Est Cr Univ Paris Est Créteil and Université Paris Cité, CNRS, LISA, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Petra Rettberg
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Research Group Astrobiology, 51147 Cologne, Germany
| | | | - María-Paz Zorzano Mier
- Centro deAstrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, Carretera de Ajalvir km 4, 28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Athena Coustenis
- LESIA, Paris Observatory, PSL University, CNRS, Paris University, 92195 Meudon Cedex, France
| | - Niklas Hedman
- Committee, Policy and Legal Affairs Section, Office for Outer Space Affairs, United Nations Office at Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - James Bernardini
- Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546, USA
| | - Masaki Fujimoto
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | - Frank Groen
- Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546, USA
| | - Alex Hayes
- Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6801, USA
| | - Sarah Gallagher
- Institute of Earth and Space Exploration, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Akiko Nakamura
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, The University of Tokyo,7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Elaine Seasly
- Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546, USA
| | - Yohey Suzuki
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, The University of Tokyo,7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Jing Peng
- China National Space Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Olga Prieto-Ballesteros
- Centro deAstrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, Carretera de Ajalvir km 4, 28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Kanyan Xu
- Laboratory of Space Microbiology, Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group, Chinese Academy of Space Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Maxim Zaitsev
- Planetary Physics Dept., Space Research Inst. of Russian Acad. of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Comparative Analysis of Behavioral Reactions and Morphological Changes in the Rat Brain After Exposure to Ionizing Radiation with Different Physical Characteristics. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:339-353. [PMID: 34982311 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01187-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this research was to study behavioral reactions and morphological changes in the brain of adult female Sprague Dawley rats after exposure to 170 MeV and 70 MeV protons and gamma radiation (60Co) at a dose of 1 Gy. The analysis of the behavioral reactions in the T-maze showed that exposure to ionizing radiation with different LETs led to an increase in number of repeated entries into the arms of the maze in the spontaneous alternation test. In the Open Field test a decrease in overall motor activity in the group of irradiated animals (70 MeV protons at the Bragg peak) was observed. A decrease in the number of standing positions was seen in all groups of irradiated animals. Morphological analysis showed the development of early amyloidosis, autolysis of the ependymal layer, an increase in the number of neurodegenerative changes in various structures of the brain, and the development of neuronal hypertrophy on the 30th day after irradiation in the cerebellum and hippocampal hilus. Exposure to protons at a dose of 1 Gy leads to the development of structural and functional disorders of the central nervous system of animals on the 30th day after irradiation. These data indicate a damage of short-term memory, a decrease in motor activity and exploratory behavior of animals. With an increase in LET, there is an increase in the number of amyloid plaques in the forebrain of rats, autolysis of the ependymal layer of the ventricles, and the development of dystrophic changes. Investigations of behavioral reactions and morphological changes in various parts of the brain of adult rats on the 30th day after influence of ionizing radiation with different physical characteristics at a dose of 1 Gy. Various negative patho-morphological and cognitive-behavioral changes observed.
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Kashyap S, Sklute EC, Wang P, Tague TJ, Dyar MD, Holden JF. Spectral Detection of Nanophase Iron Minerals Produced by Fe(III)-Reducing Hyperthermophilic Crenarchaea. ASTROBIOLOGY 2023; 23:43-59. [PMID: 36070586 PMCID: PMC9810357 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2022.0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mineral transformations by two hyperthermophilic Fe(III)-reducing crenarchaea, Pyrodictium delaneyi and Pyrobaculum islandicum, were examined using synthetic nanophase ferrihydrite, lepidocrocite, and akaganeite separately as terminal electron acceptors and compared with abiotic mineral transformations under similar conditions. Spectral analyses using visible-near-infrared, Fourier-transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), Raman, and Mössbauer spectroscopies were complementary and revealed formation of various biomineral assemblages distinguishable from abiotic phases. The most extensive biogenic mineral transformation occurred with ferrihydrite, which formed primarily magnetite with spectral features similar to biomagnetite relative to a synthetic magnetite standard. The FTIR-ATR spectra of ferrihydrite bioreduced by P. delaneyi also showed possible cell-associated organics such as exopolysaccharides. Such combined detections of biomineral assemblages and organics might serve as biomarkers for hyperthermophilic Fe(III) reduction. With lepidocrocite, P. delaneyi produced primarily a ferrous carbonate phase reminiscent of siderite, and with akaganeite, magnetite and a ferrous phosphate phase similar to vivianite were formed. P. islandicum showed minor biogenic production of a ferrous phosphate similar to vivianite when grown on lepidocrocite, and a mixed valent phosphate or sulfate mineral when grown on akaganeite. These results expand the range of biogenic mineral transformations at high temperatures and identify spacecraft-relevant spectroscopies suitable for discriminating mineral biogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srishti Kashyap
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Peng Wang
- Bruker Optics, Inc., Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - M. Darby Dyar
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Department of Astronomy, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James F. Holden
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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Sequeira MC, Djurabekova F, Nordlund K, Mattei JG, Monnet I, Grygiel C, Alves E, Lorenz K. Examining Different Regimes of Ionization-Induced Damage in GaN Through Atomistic Simulations. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2102235. [PMID: 36310127 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202102235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The widespread adoption of gGaN in radiation-hard semiconductor devices relies on a comprehensive understanding of its response to strongly ionizing radiation. Despite being widely acclaimed for its high radiation resistance, the exact effects induced by ionization are still hard to predict due to the complex phase-transition diagrams and defect creation-annihilation dynamics associated with group-III nitrides. Here, the Two-Temperature Model, Molecular Dynamics simulations and Transmission Electron Microscopy, are employed to study the interaction of Swift Heavy Ions with GaN at the atomic level. The simulations reveal a high propensity of GaN to recrystallize the region melted by the impinging ion leading to high thresholds for permanent track formation. Although the effect exists in all studied electronic energy loss regimes, its efficiency is reduced with increasing electronic energy loss, in particular when there is dissociation of the material and subsequent formation of N2 bubbles. The recrystallization is also hampered near the surface where voids and pits are prominent. The exceptional agreement between the simulated and experimental results establishes the applicability of the model to examine the entire electronic energy loss spectrum. Furthermore, the model supports an empirical relation between the interaction cross sections (namely for melting and amorphization) and the electronic energy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel C Sequeira
- IBC, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- IPFN, Instituto Superior Técnico, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Kai Nordlund
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jean-Gabriel Mattei
- CIMAP, Normandie University, CEA, CNRS, UNICAEN, ENSICAEN-BP5133, Caen Cedex 5, France
| | - Isabelle Monnet
- CIMAP, Normandie University, CEA, CNRS, UNICAEN, ENSICAEN-BP5133, Caen Cedex 5, France
| | - Clara Grygiel
- CIMAP, Normandie University, CEA, CNRS, UNICAEN, ENSICAEN-BP5133, Caen Cedex 5, France
| | - Eduardo Alves
- IPFN, Instituto Superior Técnico, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Katharina Lorenz
- IPFN, Instituto Superior Técnico, Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Lisbon, Portugal
- INESC MN, Rua Alves Redol 9, Lisbon, 1000-029, Portugal
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Hao Y, Lu L, Liu A, Lin X, Xiao L, Kong X, Li K, Liang F, Xiong J, Qu L, Li Y, Li J. Integrating bioinformatic strategies in spatial life science research. Brief Bioinform 2022; 23:bbac415. [PMID: 36198665 PMCID: PMC9677476 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As space exploration programs progress, manned space missions will become more frequent and farther away from Earth, putting a greater emphasis on astronaut health. Through the collaborative efforts of researchers from various countries, the effect of the space environment factors on living systems is gradually being uncovered. Although a large number of interconnected research findings have been produced, their connection seems to be confused, and many unknown effects are left to be discovered. Simultaneously, several valuable data resources have emerged, accumulating data measuring biological effects in space that can be used to further investigate the unknown biological adaptations. In this review, the previous findings and their correlations are sorted out to facilitate the understanding of biological adaptations to space and the design of countermeasures. The biological effect measurement methods/data types are also organized to provide references for experimental design and data analysis. To aid deeper exploration of the data resources, we summarized common characteristics of the data generated from longitudinal experiments, outlined challenges or caveats in data analysis and provided corresponding solutions by recommending bioinformatics strategies and available models/tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Hao
- Key Laboratory of DGHD, MOE, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Lu
- The State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, No. 26 Beiqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Anna Liu
- Key Laboratory of DGHD, MOE, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xue Lin
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Xiao
- The State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, No. 26 Beiqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Xiaoyue Kong
- Key Laboratory of DGHD, MOE, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kai Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, No. 26 Beiqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Fengji Liang
- The State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, No. 26 Beiqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Jianghui Xiong
- The State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, No. 26 Beiqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Lina Qu
- The State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, No. 26 Beiqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Yinghui Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, No. 26 Beiqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Jian Li
- Key Laboratory of DGHD, MOE, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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Madrid PB, Chang PY. Accelerating space radiation countermeasure development through drug repurposing. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2022; 35:30-35. [PMID: 36336366 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of safe and effective radiation countermeasures (MCM) for long-duration spaceflight is challenging due to the complexity of the space radiation biology and high safety requirements. There are few if any clinically-validated molecular targets for this use case, and preclinical models have several known limitations. These challenges make the evaluation of existing FDA-approved drugs for this indication, or drug repurposing, an attractive strategy to accelerate space radiation countermeasure development. Drug repurposing offers several advantages over de novo drug discovery including established manufacturing methods, human clinical safety data, and well-understood dosing and pharmacokinetic considerations. There are limitations working with a fixed set of possible candidate compounds, but some properties of repurposed drugs can be tailored for well-defined new indications through reformulation and development of drug combinations. Drug repurposing is thus an attractive strategy for mitigating the high risks and costs of drug development and delivering new countermeasures to protect human from space radiation in long-term missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- P B Madrid
- SRI International, Biosciences Division, Menlo Park CA United States
| | - P Y Chang
- SRI International, Biosciences Division, Menlo Park CA United States.
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40
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Wynne JJ, Titus TN, Agha‐Mohammadi A, Azua‐Bustos A, Boston PJ, de León P, Demirel‐Floyd C, De Waele J, Jones H, Malaska MJ, Miller AZ, Sapers HM, Sauro F, Sonderegger DL, Uckert K, Wong UY, Alexander EC, Chiao L, Cushing GE, DeDecker J, Fairén AG, Frumkin A, Harris GL, Kearney ML, Kerber L, Léveillé RJ, Manyapu K, Massironi M, Mylroie JE, Onac BP, Parazynski SE, Phillips‐Lander CM, Prettyman TH, Schulze‐Makuch D, Wagner RV, Whittaker WL, Williams KE. Fundamental Science and Engineering Questions in Planetary Cave Exploration. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. PLANETS 2022; 127:e2022JE007194. [PMID: 36582809 PMCID: PMC9787064 DOI: 10.1029/2022je007194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Nearly half a century ago, two papers postulated the likelihood of lunar lava tube caves using mathematical models. Today, armed with an array of orbiting and fly-by satellites and survey instrumentation, we have now acquired cave data across our solar system-including the identification of potential cave entrances on the Moon, Mars, and at least nine other planetary bodies. These discoveries gave rise to the study of planetary caves. To help advance this field, we leveraged the expertise of an interdisciplinary group to identify a strategy to explore caves beyond Earth. Focusing primarily on astrobiology, the cave environment, geology, robotics, instrumentation, and human exploration, our goal was to produce a framework to guide this subdiscipline through at least the next decade. To do this, we first assembled a list of 198 science and engineering questions. Then, through a series of social surveys, 114 scientists and engineers winnowed down the list to the top 53 highest priority questions. This exercise resulted in identifying emerging and crucial research areas that require robust development to ultimately support a robotic mission to a planetary cave-principally the Moon and/or Mars. With the necessary financial investment and institutional support, the research and technological development required to achieve these necessary advancements over the next decade are attainable. Subsequently, we will be positioned to robotically examine lunar caves and search for evidence of life within Martian caves; in turn, this will set the stage for human exploration and potential habitation of both the lunar and Martian subsurface.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Judson Wynne
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Adaptable Western LandscapesNorthern Arizona UniversityFlagstaffAZUSA
| | | | | | - Armando Azua‐Bustos
- Centro de AstrobiologíaCSIC‐INTAUnidad María de MaeztuInstituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial Ctra de Torrejón a AjalvirMadridSpain
- Instituto de Ciencias BiomédicasFacultad de Ciencias de la SaludUniversidad Autónoma de ChileSantiagoChile
| | | | - Pablo de León
- Human Spaceflight LaboratoryDepartment of Space StudiesUniversity of North DakotaGrand ForksNDUSA
| | | | - Jo De Waele
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Heather Jones
- Robotics InstituteCarnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghPAUSA
| | - Michael J. Malaska
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - Ana Z. Miller
- Laboratório HERCULESUniversity of ÉvoraÉvoraPortugal
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y AgrobiologíaConsejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasSevilleSpain
| | - Haley M. Sapers
- Department of Earth and Space Science and EngineeringYork UniversityTorontoONCanada
| | - Francesco Sauro
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Derek L. Sonderegger
- Department of Mathematics and StatisticsNorthern Arizona UniversityFlagstaffAZUSA
| | - Kyle Uckert
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | | | - E. Calvin Alexander
- Earth and Environmental Sciences DepartmentUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMNUSA
| | - Leroy Chiao
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringRice UniversityHoustonTXUSA
| | - Glen E. Cushing
- U.S. Geological SurveyAstrogeology Science CenterFlagstaffAZUSA
| | - John DeDecker
- Center for Mineral Resources ScienceColorado School of MinesGoldenCOUSA
| | - Alberto G. Fairén
- Centro de AstrobiologíaCSIC‐INTAUnidad María de MaeztuInstituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial Ctra de Torrejón a AjalvirMadridSpain
- Department of AstronomyCornell UniversityIthacaNYUSA
| | - Amos Frumkin
- Institute of Earth SciencesThe Hebrew UniversityJerusalemIsrael
| | - Gary L. Harris
- Human Spaceflight LaboratoryDepartment of Space StudiesUniversity of North DakotaGrand ForksNDUSA
| | - Michelle L. Kearney
- Department of Astronomy and Planetary SciencesNorthern Arizona UniversityFlagstaffAZUSA
| | - Laura Kerber
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - Richard J. Léveillé
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesMcGill UniversityMontrealQCCanada
- Geosciences DepartmentJohn Abbott CollegeSte‐Anne‐de‐BellevueQCCanada
| | | | - Matteo Massironi
- Dipartimento di GeoscienzeUniversità degli Studi di PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - John E. Mylroie
- Department of GeosciencesMississippi State UniversityStarkvilleMSUSA
| | - Bogdan P. Onac
- School of GeosciencesUniversity of South FloridaTampaFLUSA
- Emil G. Racoviță InstituteBabeș‐Bolyai UniversityCluj‐NapocaRomania
| | | | | | | | - Dirk Schulze‐Makuch
- Astrobiology GroupCenter of Astronomy and AstrophysicsTechnische Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
- Section GeomicrobiologyGFZ German Research Centre for GeosciencesPotsdamGermany
- Department of Experimental LimnologyLeibniz‐Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB)StechlinGermany
| | - Robert V. Wagner
- School of Earth and Space ExplorationArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
| | - William L. Whittaker
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Kaj E. Williams
- U.S. Geological SurveyAstrogeology Science CenterFlagstaffAZUSA
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Bokhari RS, Beheshti A, Blutt SE, Bowles DE, Brenner D, Britton R, Bronk L, Cao X, Chatterjee A, Clay DE, Courtney C, Fox DT, Gaber MW, Gerecht S, Grabham P, Grosshans D, Guan F, Jezuit EA, Kirsch DG, Liu Z, Maletic-Savatic M, Miller KM, Montague RA, Nagpal P, Osenberg S, Parkitny L, Pierce NA, Porada C, Rosenberg SM, Sargunas P, Sharma S, Spangler J, Tavakol DN, Thomas D, Vunjak-Novakovic G, Wang C, Whitcomb L, Young DW, Donoviel D. Looking on the horizon; potential and unique approaches to developing radiation countermeasures for deep space travel. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2022; 35:105-112. [PMID: 36336356 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Future lunar missions and beyond will require new and innovative approaches to radiation countermeasures. The Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) is focused on identifying and supporting unique approaches to reduce risks to human health and performance on future missions beyond low Earth orbit. This paper will describe three funded and complementary avenues for reducing the risk to humans from radiation exposure experienced in deep space. The first focus is on identifying new therapeutic targets to reduce the damaging effects of radiation by focusing on high throughput genetic screens in accessible, sometimes called lower, organism models. The second focus is to design innovative approaches for countermeasure development with special attention to nucleotide-based methodologies that may constitute a more agile way to design therapeutics. The final focus is to develop new and innovative ways to test radiation countermeasures in a human model system. While animal studies continue to be beneficial in the study of space radiation, they can have imperfect translation to humans. The use of three-dimensional (3D) complex in vitro models is a promising approach to aid the development of new countermeasures and personalized assessments of radiation risks. These three distinct and unique approaches complement traditional space radiation efforts and should provide future space explorers with more options to safeguard their short and long-term health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rihana S Bokhari
- Agile Decision Sciences, NRESS, Arlington, VA 22202, United States of America.
| | - Afshin Beheshti
- KBR, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, United States of America; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States of America
| | - Sarah E Blutt
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Dawn E Bowles
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham NC, United States of America
| | - David Brenner
- Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, United States of America
| | - Robert Britton
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Lawrence Bronk
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Xu Cao
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Anushree Chatterjee
- Sachi Bioworks, Louisville, CO 80027, United States of America; University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, United States of America
| | - Delisa E Clay
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | | | - Donald T Fox
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - M Waleed Gaber
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Sharon Gerecht
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218 United States of America; Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, United States of America
| | - Peter Grabham
- Center for Radiological Research, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027 United States of America
| | - David Grosshans
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Fada Guan
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Erin A Jezuit
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - David G Kirsch
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, 1250 Moursund St. Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Mirjana Maletic-Savatic
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, 1250 Moursund St. Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Kyle M Miller
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America
| | - Ruth A Montague
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - Prashant Nagpal
- Sachi Bioworks, Louisville, CO 80027, United States of America
| | - Sivan Osenberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, 1250 Moursund St. Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Luke Parkitny
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, 1250 Moursund St. Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Niles A Pierce
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, United States of America; Division of Engineering & Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, United States of America; Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Porada
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Fetal Research and Therapy Program Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States of America
| | - Susan M Rosenberg
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77303, United States of America; Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77303, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77303, United States of America; Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77303, United States of America
| | - Paul Sargunas
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218 United States of America
| | - Sadhana Sharma
- Sachi Bioworks, Louisville, CO 80027, United States of America
| | - Jamie Spangler
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218 United States of America
| | | | - Dilip Thomas
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | | | - Chunbo Wang
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham NC, United States of America
| | - Luke Whitcomb
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States of America
| | - Damian W Young
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Dorit Donoviel
- Translational Research Institute for Space Health, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America; Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America.
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Horne WH, Volpe RP, Korza G, DePratti S, Conze IH, Shuryak I, Grebenc T, Matrosova VY, Gaidamakova EK, Tkavc R, Sharma A, Gostinčar C, Gunde-Cimerman N, Hoffman BM, Setlow P, Daly MJ. Effects of Desiccation and Freezing on Microbial Ionizing Radiation Survivability: Considerations for Mars Sample Return. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:1337-1350. [PMID: 36282180 PMCID: PMC9618380 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2022.0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Increasingly, national space agencies are expanding their goals to include Mars exploration with sample return. To better protect Earth and its biosphere from potential extraterrestrial sources of contamination, as set forth in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, international efforts to develop planetary protection measures strive to understand the danger of cross-contamination processes in Mars sample return missions. We aim to better understand the impact of the martian surface on microbial dormancy and survivability. Radiation resistance of microbes is a key parameter in considering survivability of microbes over geologic times on the frigid, arid surface of Mars that is bombarded by solar and galactic cosmic radiation. We tested the influence of desiccation and freezing on the ionizing radiation survival of six model microorganisms: vegetative cells of two bacteria (Deinococcus radiodurans, Escherichia coli) and a strain of budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae); and vegetative cells and endospores of three Bacillus bacteria (B. subtilis, B. megaterium, B. thuringiensis). Desiccation and freezing greatly increased radiation survival of vegetative polyploid microorganisms when applied separately, and when combined, desiccation and freezing increased radiation survival even more so. Thus, the radiation survival threshold of polyploid D. radiodurans cells can be extended from the already high value of 25 kGy in liquid culture to an astonishing 140 kGy when the cells are both desiccated and frozen. However, such synergistic radioprotective effects of desiccation and freezing were not observed in monogenomic or digenomic Bacillus cells and endospores, which are generally sterilized by 12 kGy. This difference is associated with a critical requirement for survivability under radiation, that is, repair of genome damage caused by radiation. Deinococcus radiodurans and S. cerevisiae accumulate similarly high levels of the Mn antioxidants that are required for extreme radiation resistance, as do endospores, though they greatly exceed spores in radioresistance because they contain multiple identical genome copies, which in D. radiodurans are joined by persistent Holliday junctions. We estimate ionizing radiation survival limits of polyploid DNA-based life-forms to be hundreds of millions of years of background radiation while buried in the martian subsurface. Our findings imply that forward contamination of Mars will essentially be permanent, and backward contamination is a possibility if life ever existed on Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H. Horne
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, USA
| | - Robert P. Volpe
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - George Korza
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sarah DePratti
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Isabel H. Conze
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Igor Shuryak
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), New York, New York, USA
| | - Tine Grebenc
- Slovenian Forestry Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vera Y. Matrosova
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Elena K. Gaidamakova
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rok Tkavc
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ajay Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Cene Gostinčar
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Brian M. Hoffman
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Peter Setlow
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Michael J. Daly
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Member, Committee on Planetary Protection (CoPP), National Academies of Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
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43
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Kernagis DN, Balcer-Kubiczek E, Bazyar S, Orschell CM, Jackson IL. Medical countermeasures for the hematopoietic-subsyndrome of acute radiation syndrome in space. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2022; 35:36-43. [PMID: 36336367 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
More than 50 years after the Apollo missions ended, the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) and other international space agencies are preparing a return to the moon as a step towards deep space exploration. At doses ranging from a fraction of a Gray (Gy) to a few Gy, crew will be at risk for developing bone marrow failure associated with the hematopoietic subsyndrome of acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS) requiring pharmacological intervention to reduce risk to life and mission completion. Four medical countermeasures (MCM) in the colony stimulating factor class of drugs are now approved for treatment of myelosuppression associated with ARS. When taken in conjunction with antibiotics, fluids, antidiarrheals, antiemetics, antipyretics, and other treatments for symptomatic illness, the likelihood for recovery and mission completion can be greatly improved. The current review describes the performance and health risks of deep space flight, ionizing radiation exposure during crewed missions to the moon and Mars, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medical interventions to treat ARS. With an expansion of human exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO), including near-term Lunar and future Mars missions, inclusion of MCMs to counteract ARS in the spaceflight kit will be critical for preserving crew health and performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn N Kernagis
- Departmenet of Neurosurgery, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Elizabeth Balcer-Kubiczek
- Division of Translational Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201 United States
| | - Soha Bazyar
- Division of Translational Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201 United States
| | - Christie M Orschell
- Department of a Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 United States
| | - Isabel L Jackson
- Division of Translational Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201 United States.
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Lowe D, Roy L, Tabocchini MA, Rühm W, Wakeford R, Woloschak GE, Laurier D. Radiation dose rate effects: what is new and what is needed? RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2022; 61:507-543. [PMID: 36241855 PMCID: PMC9630203 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-022-00996-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of research to understand the biological effects of ionising radiation, there is still much uncertainty over the role of dose rate. Motivated by a virtual workshop on the "Effects of spatial and temporal variation in dose delivery" organised in November 2020 by the Multidisciplinary Low Dose Initiative (MELODI), here, we review studies to date exploring dose rate effects, highlighting significant findings, recent advances and to provide perspective and recommendations for requirements and direction of future work. A comprehensive range of studies is considered, including molecular, cellular, animal, and human studies, with a focus on low linear-energy-transfer radiation exposure. Limits and advantages of each type of study are discussed, and a focus is made on future research needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna Lowe
- UK Health Security Agency, CRCE Chilton, Didcot, OX11 0RQ, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Laurence Roy
- Institut de Radioprotection Et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-Aux-Roses, France
| | - Maria Antonella Tabocchini
- Istituto Nazionale i Fisica Nucleare, Sezione i Roma, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Werner Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Center Munich, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Richard Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Gayle E Woloschak
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Dominique Laurier
- Institut de Radioprotection Et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-Aux-Roses, France
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45
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Billi D, Blanco Y, Ianneo A, Moreno-Paz M, Aguirre J, Baqué M, Moeller R, de Vera JP, Parro V. Mars-like UV Flux and Ionizing Radiation Differently Affect Biomarker Detectability in the Desert Cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis as Revealed by the Life Detector Chip Antibody Microarray. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:1199-1209. [PMID: 36194868 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2022.0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The effect of a Mars-like UV flux and γ-radiation on the detectability of biomarkers in dried cells of Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029 was investigated using a fluorescence sandwich microarray immunoassay. The production of anti-Chroococcidiopsis antibodies allowed the immunoidentification of a reduced, though still detectable, signal in dried cells mixed with phyllosilicatic and sulfatic Mars regolith simulants after exposure to 6.8 × 105 kJ/m2 of a Mars-like UV flux. No signal was detected in dried cells that were not mixed with minerals after 1.4 × 105 kJ/m2. For γ-radiation (60Co), no detectable variations of the fluorescence signal occurred in dried cells exposed to 113 kGy compared to non-irradiated dried cells. Our results suggest that immunoassay-based techniques could be used to detect life tracers eventually present in the martian subsurface in freshly excavated materials only if shielded from solar UV. The high structural integrity of biomarkers irradiated with γ-radiation that mimics a dose accumulated in 13 Myr at 2 m depth from the martian surface has implications for the potential detectability of similar organic molecules/compounds by future life-detection missions such as the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Billi
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Biology, Rome, Italy
| | - Yolanda Blanco
- Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, Department of Molecular Evolution, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Ianneo
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Biology, Rome, Italy
| | - Mercedes Moreno-Paz
- Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, Department of Molecular Evolution, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jacobo Aguirre
- Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, Department of Molecular Evolution, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mickael Baqué
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Planetary Laboratories Department, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Moeller
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jean-Pierre de Vera
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Space Operations and Astronaut Training, Microgravity User Support Center, Cologne, Germany
| | - Victor Parro
- Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, Department of Molecular Evolution, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
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46
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De Micco V, Arena C, Di Fino L, Narici L. Radiation environment in exploration-class space missions and plants' responses relevant for cultivation in Bioregenerative Life Support Systems. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1001158. [PMID: 36212311 PMCID: PMC9540851 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1001158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
For deep space exploration, radiation effects on astronauts, and on items fundamental for life support systems, must be kept under a pre-agreed threshold to avoid detrimental outcomes. Therefore, it is fundamental to achieve a deep knowledge on the radiation spatial and temporal variability in the different mission scenarios as well as on the responses of different organisms to space-relevant radiation. In this paper, we first consider the radiation issue for space exploration from a physics point of view by giving an overview of the topics related to the spatial and temporal variability of space radiation, as well as on measurement and simulation of irradiation, then we focus on biological issues converging the attention on plants as one of the fundamental components of Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS). In fact, plants in BLSS act as regenerators of resources (i.e. oxygen production, carbon dioxide removal, water and wastes recycling) and producers of fresh food. In particular, we summarize some basic statements on plant radio-resistance deriving from recent literature and concentrate on endpoints critical for the development of Space agriculture. We finally indicate some perspective, suggesting the direction future research should follow to standardize methods and protocols for irradiation experiments moving towards studies to validate with space-relevant radiation the current knowledge. Indeed, the latter derives instead from experiments conducted with different radiation types and doses and often with not space-oriented scopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica De Micco
- Laboratory of Plant and Wood Anatomy, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Arena
- Laboratory of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Di Fino
- Physics Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Livio Narici
- Physics Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
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47
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Baqué M, Backhaus T, Meeßen J, Hanke F, Böttger U, Ramkissoon N, Olsson-Francis K, Baumgärtner M, Billi D, Cassaro A, de la Torre Noetzel R, Demets R, Edwards H, Ehrenfreund P, Elsaesser A, Foing B, Foucher F, Huwe B, Joshi J, Kozyrovska N, Lasch P, Lee N, Leuko S, Onofri S, Ott S, Pacelli C, Rabbow E, Rothschild L, Schulze-Makuch D, Selbmann L, Serrano P, Szewzyk U, Verseux C, Wagner D, Westall F, Zucconi L, de Vera JPP. Biosignature stability in space enables their use for life detection on Mars. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn7412. [PMID: 36070383 PMCID: PMC9451166 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn7412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Two rover missions to Mars aim to detect biomolecules as a sign of extinct or extant life with, among other instruments, Raman spectrometers. However, there are many unknowns about the stability of Raman-detectable biomolecules in the martian environment, clouding the interpretation of the results. To quantify Raman-detectable biomolecule stability, we exposed seven biomolecules for 469 days to a simulated martian environment outside the International Space Station. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) strongly changed the Raman spectra signals, but only minor change was observed when samples were shielded from UVR. These findings provide support for Mars mission operations searching for biosignatures in the subsurface. This experiment demonstrates the detectability of biomolecules by Raman spectroscopy in Mars regolith analogs after space exposure and lays the groundwork for a consolidated space-proven database of spectroscopy biosignatures in targeted environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickael Baqué
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Planetary Laboratories Department, Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Theresa Backhaus
- Heinrich-Heine-Universität (HHU), Institut für Botanik, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Joachim Meeßen
- Heinrich-Heine-Universität (HHU), Institut für Botanik, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Franziska Hanke
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ute Böttger
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nisha Ramkissoon
- AstrobiologyOU, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Karen Olsson-Francis
- AstrobiologyOU, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Michael Baumgärtner
- Microbial Geoecology and Astrobiology, Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå university, Linnaeus väg 6, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Daniela Billi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Cassaro
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Rosa de la Torre Noetzel
- Departamento de Observación de la Tierra, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Torrejón de Ardoz-28850, Madrid, Spain
| | - René Demets
- European Space Agency (ESA), European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC),, Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Howell Edwards
- University of Bradford, University Analytical Centre, Division of Chemical and Forensic Sciences, Raman Spectroscopy Group, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - Pascale Ehrenfreund
- Leiden Observatory, Laboratory Astrophysics, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- George Washington University, Space Policy Institute, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Andreas Elsaesser
- Freie Universitaet Berlin, Experimental Biophysics and Space Sciences, Institute of Experimental Physics; Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernard Foing
- Leiden Observatory, Laboratory Astrophysics, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081-1087, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Frédéric Foucher
- CNRS Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, UPR-4301, Rue Charles Sadron, CS80054, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Björn Huwe
- Biodiversity Research/Systematic Botany, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 1, D-14469 Potsdam, Germany
- Department Technology Assessment and Substance Cycles, Leibniz- Institute for Agriculture Engineering and Bioeconomy, Max-Eyth-Allee 100, D-14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jasmin Joshi
- Institute for Landscape and Open Space, Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, Seestrasse 10, 8640 Rapperswil, Switzerland
| | - Natalia Kozyrovska
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU, Acad. Zabolotnoho str.150, 03680, Kyiv Ukraine
| | - Peter Lasch
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 6), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Natuschka Lee
- Microbial Geoecology and Astrobiology, Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå university, Linnaeus väg 6, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Stefan Leuko
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Linder Höhe, 51147 Köln, Germany
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Sieglinde Ott
- Heinrich-Heine-Universität (HHU), Institut für Botanik, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Claudia Pacelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
- Research and Science Department, Italian Space Agency (ASI), Via del Politecnico snc, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Elke Rabbow
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Linder Höhe, 51147 Köln, Germany
| | - Lynn Rothschild
- NASA Ames Research Center, Mail Stop 239-20, P.O. Box 1, Moffett Field, CA 94035-0001, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Dirk Schulze-Makuch
- Technical University Berlin, ZAA, Hardenbergstr. 36, D-10623 Berlin, Germany
- Section Geomicrobiology, German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Experimental Limnology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 12587, Stechlin, Germany
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
- Mycological Section, Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), 16121 Genoa, Italy
| | - Paloma Serrano
- Section Geomicrobiology, German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ulrich Szewzyk
- Institute of Environmental Technology, Environmental Microbiology, Technical University Berlin, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, Berlin, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Cyprien Verseux
- Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM), University of Bremen, Am Fallturm 2, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Dirk Wagner
- Section Geomicrobiology, German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Geosciences, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Frances Westall
- CNRS Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, UPR-4301, Rue Charles Sadron, CS80054, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Laura Zucconi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Jean-Pierre P. de Vera
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Microgravity User Support Center (MUSC), Linder Höhe, 51147 Köln, Germany
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48
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Pavlov AA, McLain HL, Glavin DP, Roussel A, DworkIn JP, Elsila JE, Yocum KM. Rapid Radiolytic Degradation of Amino Acids in the Martian Shallow Subsurface: Implications for the Search for Extinct Life. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:1099-1115. [PMID: 35749703 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Amino acids are fundamental to life as we know them as the monomers of proteins and enzymes. They are also readily synthesized under a variety of plausible prebiotic conditions and are common in carbon-rich meteorites. Thus, they represent a reasonable class of organics to target in the search for prebiotic chemistry or chemical evidence of life on Mars. However, regardless of their origin, amino acids and other organic molecules present in near-surface regolith and rocks on Mars can be degraded by exposure to cosmic rays that can penetrate to a depth of a few meters. We exposed several pure amino acids in dry and hydrated silicate mixtures and in mixtures of silicates with perchlorate salts to gamma radiation at various temperatures and radiation doses representative of the martian near-subsurface. We found that irradiation of amino acids mixed with dry silica powder increased the rate of amino acid radiolysis, with the radiolysis constants of amino acids in silicate mixtures at least a factor of 10 larger compared with the radiolysis constants of amino acids alone. The addition of perchlorate salts to the silicate samples or hydration of silicate samples further accelerated the rate of amino acid destruction during irradiation and increased the radiolysis constants by a factor of ∼1.5. Our results suggest that even low-molecular-weight amino acids could degrade in just ∼20 million years in the top 10 cm of the martian surface regolith and rock, and even faster if the material contains elevated abundances of hydrated silicate minerals or perchlorates. We did not detect evidence of amino acid racemization after gamma radiation exposure of the samples, which indicates that the chirality of some surviving amino acids may still be preserved. Our experimental results suggest serious challenges for the search of ancient amino acids and other potential organic biosignatures in the top 2 m of the martian surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Pavlov
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | - Hannah L McLain
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- Department of Physics, Catholic University of America, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology, NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniel P Glavin
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | - Anaïs Roussel
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Jason P DworkIn
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | - Jamie E Elsila
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | - Katarina M Yocum
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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49
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Heldmann JL, Marinova MM, Lim DS, Wilson D, Carrato P, Kennedy K, Esbeck A, Colaprete TA, Elphic RC, Captain J, Zacny K, Stolov L, Mellerowicz B, Palmowski J, Bramson AM, Putzig N, Morgan G, Sizemore H, Coyan J. Mission Architecture Using the SpaceX Starship Vehicle to Enable a Sustained Human Presence on Mars. NEW SPACE 2022; 10:259-273. [PMID: 36199953 PMCID: PMC9527650 DOI: 10.1089/space.2020.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A main goal of human space exploration is to develop humanity into a multi-planet species where civilization extends beyond planet Earth. Establishing a self-sustaining human presence on Mars is key to achieving this goal. In situ resource utilization (ISRU) on Mars is a critical component to enabling humans on Mars to both establish long-term outposts and become self-reliant. This article focuses on a mission architecture using the SpaceX Starship as cargo and crew vehicles for the journey to Mars. The first Starships flown to Mars will be uncrewed and will provide unprecedented opportunities to deliver ∼100 metric tons of cargo to the martian surface per mission and conduct robotic precursor work to enable a sustained and self-reliant human presence on Mars. We propose that the highest priority activities for early uncrewed Starships include pre-placement of supplies, developing infrastructure, testing of key technologies, and conducting resource prospecting to map and characterize water ice for future ISRU purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Heldmann
- Division of Space Sciences and Astrobiology, Planetary Systems Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | | | - Darlene S.S. Lim
- Division of Space Sciences and Astrobiology, Planetary Systems Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ann Esbeck
- Bechtel Corporation, Reston, Virginia, USA
| | - Tony Anthony Colaprete
- Division of Space Sciences and Astrobiology, Planetary Systems Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | - Richard C. Elphic
- Division of Space Sciences and Astrobiology, Planetary Systems Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | - Janine Captain
- NASA Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA
| | - Kris Zacny
- Honeybee Robotics, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Leo Stolov
- Honeybee Robotics, Pasadena, California, USA
| | | | | | - Ali M. Bramson
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | | | | | | | - Josh Coyan
- United States Geological Survey (USGS), Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Spokane, Washington, USA
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50
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Verma SD, Passerat de la Chapelle E, Malkani S, Juran CM, Boyko V, Costes SV, Cekanaviciute E. Astrocytes regulate vascular endothelial responses to simulated deep space radiation in a human organ-on-a-chip model. Front Immunol 2022; 13:864923. [PMID: 36275678 PMCID: PMC9580499 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.864923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) damage by galactic cosmic ray radiation is a major health risk for human deep space exploration. Simulated galactic cosmic rays or their components, especially high Z-high energy particles such as 56Fe ions, cause neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation in rodent models. CNS damage can be partially mediated by the blood-brain barrier, which regulates systemic interactions between CNS and the rest of the body. Astrocytes are major cellular regulators of blood-brain barrier permeability that also modulate neuroinflammation and neuronal health. However, astrocyte roles in regulating CNS and blood-brain barrier responses to space radiation remain little understood, especially in human tissue analogs. In this work, we used a novel high-throughput human organ-on-a-chip system to evaluate blood-brain barrier impairments and astrocyte functions 1-7 days after exposure to 600 MeV/n 56Fe particles and simplified simulated galactic cosmic rays. We show that simulated deep space radiation causes vascular permeability, oxidative stress, inflammation and delayed astrocyte activation in a pattern resembling CNS responses to brain injury. Furthermore, our results indicate that astrocytes have a dual role in regulating radiation responses: they exacerbate blood-brain barrier permeability acutely after irradiation, followed by switching to a more protective phenotype by reducing oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine secretion during the subacute stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali D. Verma
- Space Biosciences Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Estrella Passerat de la Chapelle
- Space Biosciences Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Sherina Malkani
- Space Biosciences Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Cassandra M. Juran
- Space Biosciences Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Valery Boyko
- Space Biosciences Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
- Bionetics, Yorktown, VA, United States
| | - Sylvain V. Costes
- Space Biosciences Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
| | - Egle Cekanaviciute
- Space Biosciences Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Egle Cekanaviciute,
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