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EP: Extraterrestrische Physik

EP 13: Leben und Lebensbedingungen ausserhalb der Erde I

EP 13.6: Vortrag

Mittwoch, 22. März 2000, 12:00–12:15, N3110

Fungal and lycopod spores in artificial meteorites — •Bertold Hock — Technical University of München, Department of Botany, Alte Akademie 12, 85350 Freising

Joint research in collaboration with the DLR at Köln, the MPI for Chemistry at Mainz, the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences deals with the hypothesis that interplanetary transfer of living matter may have occurred between the planets of our solar system. It is not known, yet, whether meteorite material offers sufficient protection for resting stages such as spores against the hostile environment of space. It is planned to embed spores, which are especially adapted to extreme conditions, in artificial meteorites and to expose the material for three years to space within the multi-user facility SEBA. Molecular analyses of the recovered material will reveal the impact of long-duration exposure to space on particularly resistant cells. At the same time, a better understanding of the chances and limits of interplanetary transfer of life is expected.
The group at the TU München concentrates on spores of cold, heat and xerotolerant fungi. In addition, lycopod and fern spores known for their extreme viability will be included. Viability tests have been established that allow an easy distinction between UV damaged, partially damaged and control spores. Further analyses are directed toward the examination of DNA damage and repair processes after exposure to radiation and other stress conditions. The Comet assay carried out under different conditions provides an elegant approach for the detection of double and single strand breaks.