A5029926128- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Lichen and fungal ecology
- Astro and Planetary Science
- bioluminescence and chemiluminescence research
- Light effects on plants
- Satellite Communication Systems
- Technology Assessment and Management
- Yeasts and Rust Fungi Studies
- Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Plant Molecular Biology Research
- Fungal Infections and Studies
- Greenhouse Technology and Climate Control
- Bone health and osteoporosis research
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Enterobacteriaceae and Cronobacter Research
- Magnetic and Electromagnetic Effects
- Spacecraft Design and Technology
- Radiation Effects and Dosimetry
Agenzia Spaziale Italiana
2020-2025
Space (Italy)
2024
Università degli Studi della Tuscia
2016-2023
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
2017-2018
BIOMEX (BIOlogy and Mars EXperiment) is an ESA/Roscosmos space exposure experiment housed within the facility EXPOSE-R2 outside Zvezda module on International Space Station (ISS). The design of multiuser supports—among others—the investigations into stability level degradation space-exposed biosignatures such as pigments, secondary metabolites, cell surfaces in contact with a terrestrial analog mineral environment. In parallel, analysis viability investigated organisms has provided relevant...
Summary Melanin is a ubiquitous pigment with unique physicochemical properties. The resistance of melanized fungi to cosmic and terrestrial ionizing radiation suggests that melanin also plays pivotal role in radioprotection. In this study, we compared the effects densely‐ionizing deuterons sparsely‐ionizing X‐rays on two microscopic capable melanogenesis. We utilized fast‐growing pathogenic basiodiomycete forming an induced DOPA‐melanin, Cryptococcus neoformans (CN); slow‐growing...
Human Space exploration has created new challenges and opportunities for science. Reaching beyond the Earth’s surface raised issue of importance gravity development physiology biological systems, while giving scientists tools to study mechanisms response adaptation microgravity environment. As life evolved under constant influence gravity, affects systems at a very fundamental level. Owing limited access spaceflight platforms, rely heavily on on-ground facilities that reproduce, different...
Fungi are the most abundant and one of diverse components arctic soil ecosystems, where they fundamental drivers plant nutrient acquisition recycling. Nevertheless, few studies have focused on factors driving diversity functionality fungal communities associated with these especially in scope global warming that is particularly affecting Greenland leading to shrub expansion, expected profound changes microbial communities. We used DNA metabarcoding compare taxonomic functional composition...
Two rover missions to Mars aim detect biomolecules as a sign of extinct or extant life with, among other instruments, Raman spectrometers. However, there are many unknowns about the stability Raman-detectable in martian environment, clouding interpretation results. To quantify biomolecule stability, we exposed seven for 469 days simulated environment outside International Space Station. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) strongly changed spectra signals, but only minor change was observed when...
Astrobiological research aims to find evidence of life in the Solar System's habitable environments, prioritizing icy moons with potential subsurface oceans (Lunine, 2017).  Subsurface liquid water is evidenced on Europa, Ganymede, Callisto (Kivelson et al., 2000), and Enceladus (Spencer & Nimmo, 2013). Enceladus, studied via Cassini’s remote sensing, particular interest due its active surface global salty ocean (Thomas 2016; Postberg 2009). Jets particles vapor...
Life dispersal between planets, planetary protection, and the search for biosignatures are main topics in astrobiology. Under umbrella of STARLIFE project, three Antarctic endolithic microorganisms, melanized fungus Cryomyces antarcticus CCFEE 515, a hyaline strain Umbilicaria sp. (CCFEE 6113, lichenized fungus), Stichococcus (C45A, green alga), were exposed to high doses space-relevant gamma radiation (60Co), up 117.07 kGy. After irradiation survival, DNA integrity ultrastructural damage...
The search for life beyond Earth involves investigation into the responses of model organisms to deleterious effects space. In frame BIOlogy and Mars EXperiment, as part European Space Agency (ESA) space mission EXPOSE-R2 in low orbit (LEO), dried colonies Antarctic cryptoendolithic black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus CCFEE 515 were grown on martian lunar analog regolith pellets, exposed 16 months LEO simulated Mars-like conditions International Station. results demonstrate that C. was able...
The aim of this study was to analyse how protracted exposure X-rays delivered at low dose rates 0.0032-0.052 kGy h-1 affects the survival and metabolic activity two microfungi capable melanogenesis: fast-growing Cryptococcus neoformans (CN) slow-growing Cryomyces antarcticus (CA). Melanized CN CA cells survived better than non-melanized ones, which consistent with previous reports on radioprotective role melanin in these fungi after high rate exposures. data were described by linear...
The BIOMEX (BIOlogy and Mars Experiment) is part of the European Space Agency (ESA) space mission EXPOSE-R2 in Low-Earth Orbit, devoted to exposing microorganisms for 1.5 years simulated conditions on International Station. In preparing this mission, dried colonies Antarctic cryptoendolithic black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus CCFEE 515, grown martian lunar analog regolith pellets, were subjected several ground-based preflight tests, Experiment Verification Tests, Science Tests (SVTs) that...
Lichens are extremely resistant organisms that colonize harsh climatic areas, some of them defined as "Mars-analog sites." There still remain many unsolved questions to how lichens survive under such extreme conditions. Several studies have been performed test the resistance various lichen species space and in simulated Mars-like The results led proposal Circinaria gyrosa (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota) is one most durable astrobiological model lichens. However, although C. has exposed...
Space represents an extremely harmful environment for life and survival of terrestrial organisms. In the last decades, a considerable deal attention was paid to characterize effects spaceflight relevant radiation on various model The aim this study test capacity cryptoendolithic black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus CCFEE 515 space radiation, outline its endurance conditions. frame international campaign, dried fungal colonies were irradiated with accelerated Helium ion (150 MeV/n, LET 2.2...
Among the celestial bodies in Solar System, Mars currently represents main target for search life beyond Earth. However, its surface is constantly exposed to high doses of cosmic rays (CRs) that may pose a threat any biological system. For this reason, investigations into limits resistance space relevant radiation fundamental speculate on chance finding extraterrestrial organisms Mars. In present work, as part STARLIFE project, responses dried colonies black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus...
Introduction The future of human space missions relies on the ability to provide adequate food resources for astronauts and also reduce stress due environment (microgravity cosmic radiation). In this context, microgreens have been proposed astronaut diet because their fast-growing time high levels bioactive compounds nutrients (vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, etc.), which are even higher than mature plants, usually consumed as ready-to-eat vegetables. Methods Our study aimed identify best...
The black fungi Cryomyces antarcticus and minteri are highly melanized resilient to cold, ultra-violet, ionizing radiation other extreme conditions. These microorganisms were isolated from cryptoendolithic microbial communities in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (Antarctica) studied Low Earth Orbit (LEO), using EXPOSE-E facility on International Space Station (ISS). Previously, it was demonstrated that C. survive hostile conditions of space (vacuum, temperature fluctuations, full spectrum...
One of the primary current astrobiological goals is to understand limits microbial resistance extraterrestrial conditions. Much attention paid ionizing radiation, since it can prevent preservation and spread life outside Earth. The aim this research was study impact accelerated He ions (150 MeV/n, up 1 kGy) as a component galactic cosmic rays on black fungus C. antarcticus when mixed with Antarctic sandstones—the substratum its natural habitat—and two Martian regolith simulants, which mimics...
ABSTRACT The draft genome sequences of Rachicladosporium antarcticum CCFEE 5527 and sp. 5018 are the first sequenced genomes from this genus, which comprises rock-inhabiting fungi. These endolithic strains were isolated inside rocks collected Antarctic Peninsula Battleship Promontory (McMurdo Dry Valleys), Antarctica, respectively.
Evidence from recent Mars landers identified the presence of perchlorates salts at 1 wt % in regolith and their widespread distribution on Martian surface that has been hypothesized as a critical chemical hazard for putative life forms. However, hypersaline environment may also potentially preserve its biomolecules over geological timescales. The high concentration natural is scarcely reported Earth. soil ice recorded some extreme environments including McMurdo Dry Valleys Antarctica, one...
Abstract Mars is a primary target of astrobiological interest: its past environmental conditions may have been favourable to the emergence prebiotic chemistry and, potentially, biological activity. In situ exploration currently underway at surface, and subsurface (2 m depth) will be explored in future ESA ExoMars mission. this context, BIOlogy EXperiment was performed evaluate stability detectability organic biomarkers under space Mars-like conditions. Our data suggested that some molecules,...