Effect of shadowing on survival of bacteria under conditions simulating the Martian atmosphere and UV radiation

Article Abstract:

Spacecraft-associated spores and non-spore-forming bacterial isolates are prepared in Atacama Desert soil suspensions and tested in solution and in a desiccated state in order to describe the shadowing effect of soil particulates on bacterial survival under simulated Martian atmospheric and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation conditions. It is shown that the survival of soil-associated wild-type spores under Martian conditions might have repercussions for forward contamination of extraterrestrial environments.

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Isolation and characterization of bacteria capable of tolerating the extreme conditions of clean room environments

Article Abstract:

The occurrence of resident microbiota tolerable of extreme conditions is examined by using various cultivation methods. The multiassay cultivation approach has enhanced the understanding of the physiological diversity of bacteria housed in the clean rooms and the origin and means of translocation of thermophiles, anaerobes and halotolerant alkalophiles into these environments.

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Survival of spacecraft-associated microorganisms under simulated Martian UV irradiation

Article Abstract:

The effects of the simulated Martian ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the survival of the spacecraft-associated microorganisms at intensities expected to strike the surface of equatorial Mars are investigated. The resistance to simulated Mars UV irradiation was strain specific and Bacillus punilus SAFR-032 exhibited greater resistance than all other strains tested.

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