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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Terrestrial models for extraterrestrial life: Methanogens and halophiles at Martian temperatures
International Journal of Astrobiology, Volume 5, No. 2, Year 2006
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Description
Cold environments are common throughout the Galaxy. We are conducting a series of experiments designed to probe the low-temperature limits for growth in selected methanogenic and halophilic Archaea. This paper presents initial results for two mesophiles, a methanogen, Methanosarcina acetivorans, and a halophile, Halobacterium sp. NRC-1, and for two Antarctic cold-adapted Archaea, a methanogen, Methanococcoides burtonii, and a halophile, Halorubrum lacusprofundi. Neither mesophile is active at temperatures below 5 °C, but both cold-adapted microorganisms show significant growth at sub-zero temperatures (-2 °C and -1 °C, respectively), extending previous low-temperature limits for both species by 4-5 °C. At low temperatures, both H. lacusprofundi and M. burtonii form multicellular aggregates, which appear to be embedded in extracellular polymeric substances. This is the first detection of this phenomenon in Antarctic species of Archaea at cold temperatures. The low-temperature limits for both psychrophilic species fall within the temperature range experienced on present-day Mars and could permit survival and growth, particularly in sub-surface environments. We also discuss the results of our experiments in the context of known exoplanet systems, several of which include planets that intersect the Habitable Zone. In most cases, those planets follow orbits with significant eccentricity, leading to substantial temperature excursions. However, a handful of the known gas giant exoplanets could potentially harbour habitable terrestrial moons. © 2006 Cambridge University Press.
Authors & Co-Authors
Reid, Iain Neill
United States, Baltimore
Space Telescope Science Institute
Sparks, William B.
United States, Baltimore
Space Telescope Science Institute
Livio, Mario
United States, Baltimore
Space Telescope Science Institute
Valenti, Jeff A.
United States, Baltimore
Space Telescope Science Institute
Miller, Todd R.
United States, Rockville
Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research
Colman, Albert S.
United States, Rockville
Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research
Robb, Frank T.
United States, Rockville
Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research
Müller, Jochen A.
United States, Rockville
Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research
United States, Baltimore
Morgan State University
Cavicchioli, Ricardo
Australia, Sydney
Unsw Sydney
Chen, Feng
United States, Rockville
Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research
DasSarma, Shiladitya
United States, Rockville
Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research
Statistics
Citations: 72
Authors: 11
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1017/S1473550406002916
ISSN:
14753006