Article
Microbiology
Ulla Kaasalainen, Veera Tuovinen, Geoffrey Mwachala, Petri Pellikka, Jouko Rikkinen
Summary: The study revealed wide sharing of photobionts among cyanolichen symbionts, with some fungal species being more specialized in photobiont selection than others. The structure of interaction networks differs significantly between the two major photobiont-mediated guilds, likely reflecting differences in ecological characteristics and/or requirements of the two main groups of photobionts.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Arantzazu Molins, Patricia Moya, Lucia Muggia, Eva Barreno
Summary: Lichen symbioses are microecosystems that host a variety of organisms beyond the main lichen symbionts. Recent studies have shown that microalgal diversity in lichens is influenced by the growth stage, geographic area, and habitat type. The balance of different photobionts in lichens may not be as previously assumed.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gregor Rolshausen, Francesco Dal Grande, Jurgen Otte, Imke Schmitt
Summary: Holobionts are dynamic ecosystems that can respond to abiotic factors with compositional changes. This study reveals diversity patterns of lichen holobionts along an elevational gradient and presents findings on the responses of fungal hosts, green algal symbionts, and bacterial communities to elevation.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alex Marcelino dos Santos, Luciana Cristina Vitorino, Barbara Goncalves Cruvinel, Roniel Geraldo Avila, Sebastiao de Carvalho Vasconcelos Filho, Priscila Ferreira Batista, Layara Alexandre Bessa
Summary: This study investigated the response of two lichen species to cadmium stress and their potential as biomonitoring tools. P. tinctorum responded to cadmium toxicity by synthesizing carotenoids, while U. barbata countered it through the production of antioxidant enzymes. Lichen morphoanatomy and biochemical parameters were found to be effective in reflecting cadmium toxicity in these two species.
Article
Biology
Ian von Hegner
Summary: The impact of impactors on the evolution of life since the formation of Earth, including hypotheses of early life existence, interplanetary transport of life, and biological responses to stress, is discussed in the article. The study suggests that planetary self-reseeding can enhance the stress capacity of microbial organisms, thereby improving their survival ability.
Article
Plant Sciences
Mikhail Shelyakin, Ruslan Malyshev, Ekaterina Silina, Ilya Zakhozhiy, Tamara Golovko
Summary: Lichens exhibit adaptive responses to UV-B radiation, including the synthesis of protective pigments and changes in respiratory metabolism. Photosynthetic activity, however, remains relatively stable.
ACTA PHYSIOLOGIAE PLANTARUM
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ximena C. Abrevaya, Douglas Galante, Paula M. Tribelli, Oscar J. Oppezzo, Felipe Nobrega, Gabriel G. Araujo, Fabio Rodrigues, Petra Odert, Martin Leitzinger, Martiniano M. Ricardi, Maria Eugenia Varela, Tamires Gallo, Jorge Sanz-Forcada, Ignasi Ribas, Gustavo F. Porto de Mello, Florian Rodler, Maria Fernanda Cerini, Arnold Hanslmeier, Jorge E. Horvath
Summary: This study investigated the potential of halite crystals to protect microorganisms under vacuum and vacuum-ultraviolet radiation conditions. The results showed that halite can effectively protect microorganisms from harm, and the protective effect of halite is higher than that of crystals made from mixtures of salts. These findings suggest that halite crystals may serve as preservation structures on airless bodies or as vehicles for interplanetary transfer of microorganisms.
Article
Microbiology
Daniel Keaney, Brigid Lucey, Noreen Quinn, Karen Finn
Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine the survivability of Escherichia coli, Deinococcus radiodurans, and Paraburkholderia fungorum under Mars-simulated conditions. The study found that all three bacteria were able to survive freeze-thawing and UV exposure, with P. fungorum showing high UV resistance. Furthermore, freezing increased the UV resistance and prolonged the survival of the bacteria.
Article
Plant Sciences
Luca Borgato, Damien Ertz, Fabienne Van Rossum, Annemieke Verbeken
Summary: Trentepohliales are a group of algae that can live both independently and in symbiosis with other organisms. Recent studies have shown that the abundance of lichens with a specific type of Trentepohliales algae as their symbiotic partner has been increasing in temperate habitats, possibly due to global warming. A molecular study of the diversity of lichenized Trentepohliales was conducted in north-western Europe, revealing that their diversity had been underestimated in extratropical regions. Climate and the species of the fungal partner were found to be the main factors influencing the lichenized algal community.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Christopher E. Carr
Summary: The origin of life on Earth may be linked to the possibility of life on Mars. Studying Mars' geologic history and chemical reactions can provide important clues to understanding the history of life on Earth.
Article
Microbiology
Amina G. Daminova, Alexey M. Rogov, Anna E. Rassabina, Richard P. Beckett, Farida Minibayeva
Summary: This study examines the synthesis of melanin in lichen hyphae and reveals the presence of a melanized layer in the upper cortex of melanized thalli, as well as thicker hyphal cell walls in melanized thalli. Analysis indicates that eumelanin is synthesized in L. pulmonaria, with melanosomes transported to the cell surface and secreted into the cell walls during melanization.
Article
Microbiology
Jaume Puig, Nastassia Knodlseder, Jaume Quera, Manuel Algara, Marc Guell
Summary: Some organisms, such as Deinococcus radiodurans and tardigrades, have natural mechanisms to resist severe DNA damage from extreme conditions. Research on enhancing radiation resistance in Escherichia coli through genetic engineering shows potential for adapting bacterial strains to survive severe environments.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Yining Chen, Qing Zhang, Deyu Wang, Yao-Gen Shu, Hualin Shi
Summary: Earth's near space is an extreme environment with high radiation and extreme cold, but many studies have shown that microbes can still survive here. Investigating the factors that affect the survival of microorganisms in near space after exposure to radiation is important for understanding radioresistance mechanisms and long-distance microbial transfer. The results of the study suggest that the growth condition before radiation has a memory effect on the survival of microorganisms.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christian Lorenz, Elisabetta Bianchi, Giovanni Poggiali, Giulia Alemanno, Renato Benesperi, John Robert Brucato, Stephen Garland, Joern Helbert, Stefano Loppi, Andreas Lorek, Alessandro Maturilli, Alessio Papini, Jean-Pierre de Vera, Mickael Baque
Summary: X. parietina showed high tolerance against UV-radiation and was able to survive simulated Martian conditions. UV irradiation significantly affected the photosynthetic light reaction, while temperature and humidity cycles also had an impact. The study suggests that X. parietina could be a candidate for long-term space exposure and evaluating the photodegradability of parietin.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Priya Bisht, Krishna K. Pandey, Harish C. Barshilia
Summary: Transparent wood composite (TWC) is a promising material with good optical and mechanical properties, suitable for applications in smart windows, energy efficient building elements, and solar energy concentrators. The study found that TWC is highly sensitive to UV light exposure, showing rapid photo-discolouration, chemical degradation, and a decrease in optical transmittance, requiring the incorporation of UV absorber to reduce degradation for outdoor applications.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2021)
Article
Archaeology
Georgia Toreno, Daniela Isola, Paola Meloni, Gianfranco Carcangiu, Laura Selbmann, Silvano Onofri, Giulia Caneva, Laura Zucconi
JOURNAL OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
(2018)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Claudia Pacelli, Ruth A. Bryan, Silvano Onofri, Laura Selbmann, Laura Zucconi, Igor Shuryak, Ekaterina Dadachova
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS
(2018)
Article
Microbiology
Rosa de la Torre Noetzel, Ana Z. Miller, Jose M. de la Rosa, Claudia Pacelli, Silvano Onofri, Leopoldo Garcia Sancho, Beatriz Cubero, Andreas Lorek, David Wolter, Jean P. de Vera
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Microbiology
Claudia Coleine, Jason E. Stajich, Laura Zucconi, Silvano Onofri, Nuttapon Pombubpa, Eleonora Egidi, Ashley Franks, Pietro Buzzini, Laura Selbmann
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Claudia Pacelli, Laura Selbmann, Laura Zucconi, Claudia Coleine, Jean-Pierre de Vera, Elke Rabbow, Ute Boettger, Ekaterina Dadachova, Silvano Onofri
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Silvano Onofri, Laura Selbmann, Claudia Pacelli, Laura Zucconi, Elke Rabbow, Jean-Pierre de Vera
Article
Mycology
Claudia Pacelli, Ruth A. Bryan, Silvano Onofri, Laura Selbmann, Laura Zucconi, Igor Shuryak, Ekaterina Dadachova
Editorial Material
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Jean-Pierre de Vera, Mashal Alawi, Theresa Backhaus, Mickael Baque, Daniela Billi, Ute Boettger, Thomas Berger, Maria Bohmeier, Charles Cockell, Rene Demets, Rosa de la Torre Noetzel, Howell Edwards, Andreas Elsaesser, Claudia Fagliarone, Annelie Fiedler, Bernard Foing, Frederic Foucher, Joerg Fritz, Franziska Hanke, Thomas Herzog, Gerda Horneck, Heinz-Wilhelm Huebers, Bjoern Huwe, Jasmin Joshi, Natalia Kozyrovska, Martha Kruchten, Peter Lasch, Natuschka Lee, Stefan Leuko, Thomas Leya, Andreas Lorek, Jesus Martinez-Frias, Joachim Meessen, Sophie Moritz, Ralf Moeller, Karen Olsson-Francis, Silvano Onofri, Sieglinde Ott, Claudia Pacelli, Olga Podolich, Elke Rabbow, Guenther Reitz, Petra Rettberg, Oleg Reva, Lynn Rothschild, Leo Garcia Sancho, Dirk Schulze-Makuch, Laura Selbmann, Paloma Serrano, Ulrich Szewzyk, Cyprien Verseux, Jennifer Wadsworth, Dirk Wagner, Frances Westall, David Wolter, Laura Zucconi
Article
Environmental Sciences
Claudia Coleine, Jason E. Stajich, Nuttapon Pombubpa, Laura Zucconi, Silvano Onofri, Fabiana Canini, Laura Selbmann
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Biology
Giuseppina Fanelli, Claudia Coleine, Federica Gevi, Silvano Onofri, Laura Selbmann, Anna Maria Timperio
Summary: Cryptoendolithic communities in the Antarctic desert are the primary life form with extreme tolerance, regulating ecosystems under harsh conditions. A study comparing responses of these communities under dry and reanimated conditions found differences in metabolic pathways, indicating critical roles in their success. The study highlights the importance of these metabolites in the performance of endolithic communities.
Article
Microbiology
Laura Selbmann, Gerardo A. Stoppiello, Silvano Onofri, Jason E. Stajich, Claudia Coleine
Summary: In the harsh environmental conditions of the Antarctic desert, microbes have adapted to exploit the cryptoendolithic habitat and represent the predominant life-forms. High-throughput sequencing and culture-dependent approaches were combined to untangle the diversity and distribution of black fungi in the Antarctic cryptoendolithic microbial communities, showing that both culture-dependent and -independent analyses are needed for a complete overview of black fungi diversity.
Article
Biology
Fabiana Canini, Jozsef Geml, Pietro Buzzini, Benedetta Turchetti, Silvano Onofri, Luigi Paolo D'Acqui, Caterina Ripa, Laura Zucconi
Summary: Antarctic soil fungal communities are highly adapted to the extreme environment of the region, with abiotic conditions playing a key role in determining their structure. The communities show low resilience to environmental changes, which raises concerns in the face of global warming. Both abiotic parameters and species adaptation are crucial factors that influence the diversity and composition of these communities.
Article
Microbiology
Alessia Cassaro, Claudia Pacelli, Mickael Baque, Jean-Pierre Paul de Vera, Ute Boettger, Lorenzo Botta, Raffaele Saladino, Elke Rabbow, Silvano Onofri
Summary: The second ExoMars mission aims to search for traces of extant or extinct life on Mars, using instruments on board the rover to gather potential biomarker samples, offering the best chance to detect preserved biomarkers.
Article
Biology
Claudia Pacelli, Alessia Cassaro, Ilaria Catanzaro, Mickael Baque, Alessandro Maturilli, Ute Boettger, Elke Rabbow, Jean-Pierre Paul De Vera, Silvano Onofri
Summary: The success of astrobiological search for life on Mars or other planetary bodies in the Solar System depends on the detectability of biosignatures. Spectroscopic methods like Raman and FT-IR are ideal for detecting biosignatures, allowing for repeated and contactless analysis. Studies on fungal colonies exposed to UV radiation found significant DNA damage but preserved spectral properties of melanin, demonstrating the potential for detecting biosignatures in extraterrestrial environments.
Article
Microbiology
Claudia Coleine, Laura Selbmann, Sawyer Masonjones, Silvano Onofri, Laura Zucconi, Jason E. Stajich
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2019)