Christine Moissl-Eichinger

MedUni Graz

 
 Does extraterrestrial life exist? Many extremotolerant and extremophilic microbes have been found to be able to withstand numerous, combined environmental factors, such as high or low temperatures and pressures, high-salt conditions, high doses of radiation, desiccation or nutrient limitations. Terrestrial Mars-analogue sites are one focus of researchers, in order to understand the microbial diversity in preparation for upcoming space missions aimed at the detection of life. However, such missions could also pose a risk with respect to contamination of the extraterrestrial environment by accidentally transferred terrestrial microorganisms. Closer to the Earth, the International Space Station is the most enclosed habitat, where humans work and live-and with them numerous microorganisms. It is still unknown how microbes adapt to this environment, possibly even creating a risk for the crew.
 In this talk, I will present novel insights into the microbial communities of  Mars-analogue sites, the microbiology in clean rooms and on spacecraft (planetary protection), as well as the International Space Station microbiome. In a conclusion I will show connections to terrestrial confined environments, such as intensive care units or operating rooms.