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At least 37 records · Page 2

Radiobiological experiments with plant seeds aboard the biosatellite Cosmos 1887

The effects of spaceflight factors on the seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana and Crepis capillaris were studied. The seeds were located inside the satellite in an open space, protected with aluminum foil and also exposed without the foil cover. When the seeds were in open space without any protection, their viability was found to be suppressed; the survival rate and fertility of plants grown from these seeds were also diminished. An increase in the frequency of chromosome aberrations (CA) and in the number of multiple injuries was registered in this case. Experiments with the aluminum foil shielding showed a decrease in the suppression of the seeds' viability, but mutational changes were found to be even more increased, while the survival rate and fertility of the plants decreased. An increase in the thickness of shielding resulted in a decrease in the effects up to the level of the control, except for the effects connected with CA and fertility of the plants. Analysis of the results shows that these impairments can be ascribed to the action of single heavy charged particles (HCP). The seeds can thus be regarded as an integral biological 'dosimeter' which allows estimation of the total effects of radiation, ecological and biological factors.

Benton, E. V.↗

The Affect of the Space Environment on the Survival of Halorubrum Chaoviator and Synechococcus (Nageli): Data from the Space Experiment OSMO on EXPOSE-R

We have shown using ESA's Biopan facility flown in Earth orbit that when exposed to the space environment for 2 weeks the survival rate of Synechococcus (Nageli), a halophilic cyanobacterium isolated from the evaporitic gypsum-halite crusts that form along the marine intertidal, and Halorubrum chaoviator a member of the Halobacteriaceae isolated from an evaporitic NaCl crystal obtained from a salt evaporation pond, were higher than all other test organisms except Bacillus spores. These results led to the EXPOSE-R mission to extend and refine these experiments as part of the experimental package for the external platform space exposure facility on the ISS. The experiment was flown in February 2009 and the organisms were exposed to low-Earth orbit for nearly 2 years. Samples were either exposed to solar ultraviolet (UV)-radiation (lambda is greater than 110 nm or lambda is greater than 200 nm, cosmic radiation (dosage range 225-320 mGy), or kept in darkness shielded from solar UV-radiation. Half of each of the UV-radiation exposed samples and dark samples were exposed to space vacuum and half kept at 105 pascals in argon. Duplicate samples were kept in the laboratory to serve as unexposed controls. Ground simulation control experiments were also performed. After retrieval, organism viability was tested using Molecular Probes Live-Dead Bac-Lite stain and by their reproduction capability. Samples kept in the dark, but exposed to space vacuum had a 90 +/- 5% survival rate compared to the ground controls. Samples exposed to full UV-radiation for over a year were bleached and although results from Molecular Probes Live-Dead stain suggested approximately 10% survival, the data indicate that no survival was detected using cell growth and division using the most probable number method. Those samples exposed to attenuated UV-radiation exhibited limited survival. Results from of this study are relevant to understanding adaptation and evolution of life, the future of life beyond earth, the potential for interplanetary transfer of viable microbes via meteorites and dust particles as well as spacecraft, and the physiology of halophiles.

space flight↗

Development of Storage Methods for Saccharomyces Strains to be Utilized for In situ Nutrient Production in Long-Duration Space Missions

Long-duration space missions will benefit from closed-loop life support technologies that minimize mass, volume, and power as well as decrease reliance on Earth-based resupply. A system for In situ production of essential vitamins and nutrients can address the documented problem of degradation of stored food and supplements. Research has shown that the edible yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be used as an on-demand system for the production of various compounds that are beneficial to human health. A critical objective in the development of this approach for long-duration space missions is the effective storage of the selected microorganisms. This research investigates the effects of different storage methods on survival rates of the non-sporulating probiotic S. boulardii, and S. cerevisiae spores and vegetative cells. Dehydration has been shown to increase long-term yeast viability, which also allows increased shelf-life and reduction in mass and volume. The process of dehydration causes detrimental effects on vegetative cells, including oxidative damage and membrane disruption. To maximize cell viability, various dehydration methods are tested here, including lyophilization (freeze-drying), air drying, and dehydration by vacuum. As a potential solution to damage caused by lyophilization, the efficacy of various cryoprotectants was tested. Furthermore, in an attempt to maintain higher survival rates, the effect of temperature during long-term storage was investigated. Data show spores of the wild-type strain to be more resilient to dehydration-related stressors than vegetative cells of either strain, and maintain high viability rates even after one year at room temperature. In the event that engineering the organism to produce targeted nutrient compounds interferes with effective sporulation of S. cerevisiae, a more robust method for improving vegetative cell storage is being sought. Therefore, anhydrobiotic engineering of S. cerevisiae and S. boulardii is being conducted

nutrient↗

Development of Storage Methods for Saccharomyces Strains to be Utilized for In Situ Nutrient Production in Long-Duration Space Missions

Long-duration space missions will benefit from closed-loop life support technologies that minimize mass, volume, and power as well as decrease reliance on Earth-based resupply. A system for In situ production of essential vitamins and nutrients can address the documented problem of degradation of stored food and supplements. Research has shown that the edible yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be used as an on-demand system for the production of various compounds that are beneficial to human health. A critical objective in the development of this approach for long-duration space missions is the effective storage of the selected microorganisms. This research investigates the effects of different storage methods on survival rates of the non-sporulating probiotic S. boulardii, and S. cerevisiae spores and vegetative cells. Dehydration has been shown to increase long-term yeast viability, which also allows increased shelf-life and reduction in mass and volume. The process of dehydration causes detrimental effects on vegetative cells, including oxidative damage and membrane disruption. To maximize cell viability, various dehydration methods are tested here, including lyophilization (freeze-drying), air drying, and dehydration by vacuum. As a potential solution to damage caused by lyophilization, the efficacy of various cryoprotectants was tested. Furthermore, in an attempt to maintain higher survival rates, the effect of temperature during long-term storage was investigated. Data show spores of the wild-type strain to be more resilient to dehydration-related stressors than vegetative cells of either strain, and maintain high viability rates even after one year at room temperature. In the event that engineering the organism to produce targeted nutrient compounds interferes with effective sporulation of S. cerevisiae, a more robust method for improving vegetative cell storage is being sought. Therefore, anhydrobiotic engineering of S. cerevisiae and S. boulardii is being conducted.

life support↗

A Fish Out of Basin: Increased Stress Physiology and Reduced Performance of Salmon River Hatchery Chinook Salmon

Abstract Variation in rearing conditions across hatcheries and basins can affect the performance of hatchery salmonids in the wild. In 2008, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes began planning an out-of-basin hatchery facility on the eastern Snake River Plain for rearing threatened Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha for release in tributaries of the upper Salmon River, Idaho, USA. To help determine the viability of the planned out-of-basin hatchery, we reared 100,000 juvenile Chinook Salmon from the same genetic stock at one in-basin (Sawtooth Fish Hatchery on the Salmon River) and one out-of-basin (Springfield Fish Hatchery on the Snake River Plain) site in Idaho that are characterized by significant differences in water hardness and temperature regime. In October 2018 and April 2019, we tested whether fish condition, stress physiology, acute mortality, and downstream survival differed between the two groups at the parr and smolt life stages upon release in the Yankee Fork Salmon River, which is characterized by low water hardness. For both release groups, parr experienced low acute mortality during the 48 h after release; however, the out-of-basin group had a downstream survival rate through an unimpounded portion of the migration corridor that was an order of magnitude lower than that for the in-basin group. During the smolt release, the out-of-basin group showed signs of extreme physiological stress, acute mortality rates of 40–80%, and low survival in the unimpounded portion of the migratory corridor. The in-basin group recovered from the stress of transport and release, had no acute mortality, and survived through the unimpounded migratory corridor at a rate comparable to that of previous years’ releases. Based on the results of this comparative study, comanagers are evaluating alternatives to the proposed out-of-basin hatchery program. This case study highlights the effects of differences between rearing and release conditions on salmon physiology and survival as well as the value of conducting preliminary evaluations prior to implementing large-scale hatchery supplementation programs.

Ebel, Jonathan D.↗

Overview of the NASA Systems Approach to Crashworthiness Program

The NASA Aviation Safety Program was developed in response to the federal government's goal to reduce the fatal accident rate for aviation by 80% within 10 years. Accident Mitigation is a primary element of the Aviation Safety Program. The overall Accident Mitigation goal is to provide technology to the air transport industry to enable a decrease in the rate of fatalities and injury from crash loads and from in-flight and post-crash explosion and/or fire. Accident Mitigation is divided into two main elements - Fire Prevention and Systems Approach to Crashworthiness. The Systems Approach to Crashworthiness goal is to develop and promote technology that will increase the human survival rate or reduce the fatality rate in survivable accidents. The technical background and planning, selected technical activities, and summary of future efforts will be presented in this paper.

Jones, Lisa E.↗

Modeling Sepsis: Establishment and Validation of a 72-Hour Swine Model of Penetrating Abdominal Trauma

Background/Objectives: Fecal peritonitis following penetrating abdominal trauma is a serious condition that often results in sepsis and organ failure. The aim of our study was to develop a novel conscious porcine model of sepsis and organ dysfunction caused by multiple penetrating injuries to the small and large intestines. Methods: Twelve female Yorkshire pigs (average weight 50.6 ± 6.5 kg) were divided into two groups: Penetrating Abdominal Trauma (PAT) (n = 8) and Control (n = 4). All surgical procedures were performed under anesthesia with adequate analgesia. In the PAT group, the small and large intestines were punctured, and feces mixed with saline were introduced into the abdominal cavity to induce peritonitis. The Control group received sham surgery with only saline solution. The animals were observed in a conscious state over a period of 72 h, vital parameters were recorded, and blood samples were taken regularly. We adapted a pig-specific SOFA score and developed pig-specific SIRS criteria and NEWS2 score to assess organ function. The model was validated by independent investigators. Results: The survival rate in the PAT group was 75%, with an average survival time of 58.5 h, while all animals in the Control group survived to euthanasia. Monitoring showed pathophysiological changes, such as tachycardia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia, indicative of sepsis and organ dysfunction. Blinded investigators independently confirmed the model’s validity. Conclusions: A new swine model of penetrating abdominal trauma and sepsis has been successfully developed that demonstrates significant physiological and immunologic changes comparable to human sepsis. This new model provides a realistic platform for future research into sepsis, its diagnostics, and the evaluation of therapeutic strategies.

General & Internal Medicine↗

Feed status and skin injury modulate immunopathology, global gene expression, and survival in channel catfish during virulent Aeromonas hydrophila infection

Introduction VirulentAeromonas hydrophilais a major pathogen in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), that causes motileAeromonassepticemia and significant economic losses. We investigated the effect of feeding status and skin integrity on the host immune response, disease survival, and gastrointestinal pathology following a vAh challenge. Methods Using a bath immersion model, channel catfish were divided into four treatment groups: fin clipped and fed (FCF), fin clipped but not fed (FCN), not fin clipped but fed (NCF), and not fin clipped nor fed (NCN) alongside non-challenged control groups The FCF and NCF groups were fed 2 h prior to the challenge, but the FCN and NCN groups were not. Survival analysis, histopathological assessment, and RNA sequencing were conducted across groups at different time intervals throughout the vAh challenge. Results Survival rates were lowest in the FCF and FCN groups (30% and 23% survival, respectively), suggesting that both feeding and skin damage contributed to disease severity. Histopathological analyses revealed more severe intestinal and gastric lesions in fed groups, characterized by epithelial necrosis, hemorrhage, and edema. Transcriptomic analysis among the groups identified significant differentially expressed genes associated with inflammation, apoptosis, and metabolic stress, with notable upregulation of interleukin 1-beta (il-1β), and complement C3 (c3). Gene ontology enrichment highlighted distinct immune activation patterns between fed and unfed groups, with enhanced pathogen recognition and pro-inflammatory responses in unfed fish. Discussion These findings suggest feeding prior to infection may exacerbate disease pathology, potentially by creating a physiological state conducive to facilitate pathogen proliferation and dampened early immune responses, whereas short-term fasting appears to promote early immune activation. This study provides novel insights into the complex interplay between feed status, physical injury, and immune response to vAh infection.

Immunology↗

Morphometrics of cellular damage in mice testis receiving X-ray and high-energy particle irradiation

Murine tests were exposed to single, low doses of either X-ray, helium, or argon radiation. Animals were sacrificed seventy-two hours later. Testes were fixed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and sectioned at either 60 nm for TEM observation or at 2 micron for counting using routine light microscope methods. Counts of the total population of surviving spermatogonia, including all type A cells, intermediate, and type B cells, were taken from tubule cross sections identified as Stage 6 and Stage 1 according to spermatogonial configuration. The surviving fraction of spermatogonia as compared to control, S/S sub o, was calculated for each dose. For both ions and X-rays, there was a rapid decline in survival at dose levels of .10 to .15 Gy in Stage 6 tubules. This was followed by a more gradual decrease in population. At higher doses, 0.30 Gy for argon and 0.80 Gy for helium and X-rays, the cell survival rates declined rapidly. Pre-leptotene spermatocytes in Stage 1 tubules exhibited a different survival curve indicating the extreme radio-sensitivity of type B spermatogonia. Data verify that the seminiferous tubules are composed of a heterogeneous population of cells with different radio-sensitivities and that these differences are manifested even at very low doses.

Sapp, Walter J.↗

Analysis of implant loss risk factors after simultaneous guided bone regeneration: A retrospective study of 5404 dental implants

Abstract Purpose The purpose was to analyze the risk factors for implant loss after simultaneous guided bone regeneration (GBR). Materials and Methods Patients who underwent implant placement with simultaneous GBR between January 2011 and December 2018 were screened for this study. The cumulative survival rate (CSR) was calculated using the life table method. Log‐rank test and Kaplan–Meier survival estimates were used to identify potential risk factors for implant loss. The association between the investigated variables and implant loss was determined using hazard ratios (HRs) obtained from a multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results A total of 3973 patients with 5404 implants were included in this study. The CSRs of the implants at 1, 5, and 10 years were 99.6%, 98.9%, and 98.7%, respectively. Male patient (HR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.41–6.14), periodontitis (HR = 4.26, 95% CI: 2.05–9.86), tissue‐level implants (HR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.30–6.98), narrow implants (HR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.12–6.57), and implant length ≤10 mm (HR = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.41–6.02) significantly increased the risk of implant loss ( p < 0.05). The risk of implant loss was significantly higher in the maxillary posterior region (HR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.04–4.90) than in the maxillary anterior region ( p < 0.05). Compared to Straumann, Nobel (HR = 4.07, 95% CI: 1.75–9.44) and other implant systems (HR = 14.23, 95% CI: 4.32–46.85) showed a significantly higher risk of implant loss ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Male patient, periodontitis, maxillary posterior region, Nobel implant system, other implant systems, tissue‐level implants, narrow implants, and implant length ≤10 mm were considered risk factors for implant loss after simultaneous GBR.

Shen, Xiaoting↗

Continued results of the seeds in space experiment

Two million seeds of 120 different varieties representing 106 species, 97 genera, and 55 plant families were flown aboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). The seeds were housed on the Space Exposed Experiment Developed for Students (SEEDS) tray in the sealed canister number 6 and in two small vented canisters. The seeds were germinated and the germination rates and development of the resulting plants compared to the control seed that stayed in the storage facility. There was a better survival rate in the sealed canister in space than in the storage facility. At least some of the seed in the vented canisters survived the exposure to vacuum for almost six years. The number of observed mutations was very low. In the initial testing, the small seeded crops were not grown to maturity to check for mutation and obtain a second generation seed. These small seeded crops are now being grown for evaluation.

Alston, Jim A.↗

Survival and behavior of Mojave desert tortoises head-started with and without outdoor rearing

Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) populations in some regions have declined by >50% since 2004, prompting the need for more research on ways to recover populations. One possible recovery tool is head-starting (i.e., the act of protecting and raising juvenile tortoises to sizes that increase survival upon release); however, head-starting can have high start-up and maintenance costs that can limit its feasibility. Strategies that reduce cost and rearing duration may foster broader and more effective use. We released and radio-tracked 60 juvenile tortoises in the Mojave National Preserve in California, USA, that had been reared under 2 treatments: those reared 1 year indoors after hatching, then 1 year outdoors (combo) and those reared just 1 year indoors (indoor-only). We tested whether indoor-only rearing alone could be a more efficient means of producing robust head-started tortoises. We examined the behavior, movement, and survival of tortoises after release into the wild from 2020 to 2021 to determine whether these outcomes differed between husbandry treatments. Combo tortoises tended to perform settling behaviors (mean ± 1 SE days to building first burrow = 6.7 ± 0.8, entering dormancy = 23.3 ± 2.1, and emerging from dormancy = 189.6 ± 4.4) earlier than indoor-only tortoises (7.4 ± 0.9, 31.5 ± 2.6, and 193.9 ± 5.9, respectively), but this difference was not significant, suggesting the rearing method did not greatly alter settling behavior. Indoor-only tortoises dispersed at least twice as far from their release site (156.2 ± 26.3 m compared with 77.3 ± 20.6 m for combo tortoises), had larger mean use areas (3.7 ± 0.1 ha compared with 2.8 ± 0.3 ha for combo tortoises for 95% Brownian bridge movement model estimates), and greater variability in their movements than combo tortoises (daily average step length post-emergence: 4.3 ± 0.2 m compared with 2.8 ± 0.1 m for combo tortoises). Despite differences in their movements, indoor-only and combo tortoises had similar survival rates over the study, 51% versus 42%, respectively, during a period of extreme drought in 2021. The similarity in survival between groups gives head-starting practitioners freedom in their rearing methods. The indoor-only group had lower site fidelity, which should be considered when this is an undesirable trait for released tortoises.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Experiment S010: Agena micrometeorite collection

A study was made of the micrometeoroid content of the upper atmosphere and the near-earth space environment. Highly polished collection surfaces attached to the target docking adapter (TDA) were exposed to micrometeorite impact and debris collection during the Gemini 8, 9, and 10 missions. Also, the device was attached to the Gemini Agena target vehicle (GATV) during the Gemini 12 mission. The effects of space environment exposure on viable microorganisms were recorded. No substantive data regarding space environment micrometeorite content were derived from the Gemini 9 or 12 missions. However, some substantive data were obtained from the experiment package that was retrieved from the Gemini 10 mission. The micrometeorite-flux values obtained were in general agreement with values obtained from previous experiments by the use of other experimental equipment. The microorganisms that were retrieved from the Gemini 10 experiment package did not survive. However, the same kinds of specimens inside the package had good survival rates. Upon initial analysis, it appeared that the closed-cover shielding was a contributing factor in the protection and survival of the microorganisms.

Hemenway, C. L.↗

Improved age- and gender-specific radiation risk models applied on cohorts of Swedish patients

The aim of this study is to implement lifetime attributable risk (LAR) predictions for radiation induced cancers for Swedish cohorts of patients of various age and sex, undergoing diagnostic investigations by nuclear medicine methods. Methods: Calculations are performed on Swedish groups of patients with Paget's disease and with bone metastases from prostatic cancer and diagnosed with bone scintigraphy with an administration of 500 MBq 99m Tc-phosphonate. Results: The inclusion of patient survival rates into the calculations lowers the induced radiation cancer risk, as it takes into account that cohorts of patients have shorter predicted survival times than the general population. Conclusion: LAR estimations could be valuable for referring physicians, nuclear medicine physicians, nurses, medical physicists, radiologists, and oncologists and as well as ethical committees for risk estimates for specific subgroups of patients. Caution is however advised with respect to application of LAR predictions to individuals (because of individual sensitivities, circumstances, etc.).

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Ubiquitin-specific protease 14 promotes radio-resistance and suppresses autophagy in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Highlights: • USP14 promotes radioresistance of OSCC cells. • USP14 elevates radioresistance of OSCC cells by suppressing apoptosis. • USP14 modulates radioresistance in OSCC by regulating autophagy. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common malignant tumor in the world. Radiotherapy is one of the standard therapies for patients with OSCC, but its clinical efficiency is limited due to radioresistance. In this study, we identified a mechanism of such resistance regulated by Ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14). USP14 expression was significantly increased in clinical OSCC tissue samples and cell lines, and OSCC patients with high USP14 expression predicted poor overall survival rate. Additionally, a negative correlation between USP14 and LC3B was observed in patients with OSCC. We then found that irradiation (IR)-reduced cell survival of OSCC cells lines was further decreased when USP14 was knocked down. However, USP14 over-expression significantly promoted the cell viability of OSCC cells after IR treatment. Colony formation analysis confirmed thatafter IR treatment,USP14 knockdown markedly decreased the proliferation of OSCC cells, but over-expressing USP14 significantly up-regulated the proliferative activity of OSCC cells. Furthermore, DNA damage caused by IR was enhanced by USP14 knockdown, while been suppressed in OSCC cells with USP14 over-expression. Additionally, IR-inducedapoptosis was further promoted by USP14 knockdown in OSCC cells, which was, however, significantly abolished by USP14 over-expression.Moreover, our in vivo studies showed that IR-reduced tumor growth and tumor weight were further enhanced by USP14 knockdown in OSCC tumor-bearing nude mice. Finally, we found that USP14 knockdown could promote IR-induced autophagy by increasing LC3BII and γH2AX expression levels in IR-treated OSCC cells. However, this event was markedly abolished by ATG5 knockdown, subsequently restoring the cell proliferation in IR-incubated OSCC cells.Finally, we found that USP14-mediated apoptosis was autophagy-dependent in IR-treated OSCC cells. Taken together, these findings suggested that suppressing USP14 could alleviateradioresistancein OSCC both in vitro and in vivo by inducing apoptosis and autophagy, and thus could be served as a promising therapeutic strategy for OSCC treatment.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Seeds in space experiment results

Two million seeds of 120 different varieties representing 106 species, 97 genera, and 55 plant families were flown aboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). The seeds were housed on the space exposed experiment developed for students (SEEDS) tray in sealed canister number six and in two small vented canisters. The tray was in the F-2 position. The seeds were germinated and the germination rates and development of the resulting plants compared to the control seed that stayed in Park Seed's seed storage facility. The initial results are presented. There was a better survival rate in the sealed canister in space than in the storage facility at Park Seed. At least some of the seeds in each of the vented canisters survived the exposure to vacuum for almost six years. The number of observed apparent mutations was very low.

Alston, Jim A.↗

Seeds in space experiment

Two million seeds of 120 different varieties representing 106 species, 97 genera, and 55 plant families were flown aboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). The seeds were housed in one sealed canister and in two small vented canisters. After being returned to earth, the seeds were germinated and the germination rates and development of the resulting plants were compared to the performance of the control seeds that stayed in the Park Seed's seed storage facility. There was a better survival rate in the sealed canister in space than at the storage facility at Park Seed. At least some of the seeds in each of the vented canisters survived the exposure to vacuum for almost six years. The number of observed apparent mutations was very low.

Jim A Alston↗

Assessment of Resistance of Bacillus Horneckiae Endospores to UV Radiation and Function of Their Extraneous Layer in Resistance

Spore-forming microbes are highly resistant to various physical and chemical conditions, which include ionizing and UV radiation, desiccation and oxidative stress, and the harsh environment of outer space or planetary surfaces. The spore's resistance might be due to their metabolically dormant state, and/or by the presence of a series of protective structures that encase the interior-most compartment, the core, which houses the spore chromosome. These spores have multiple layers surrounding the cell that are not found in vegetative cells, and some species have an outer layer of proteins and glycoproteins termed the "exosporium" or a fibrous "extraneous layer" (EL). Bacillus horneckiae is an EL-producing novel sporeformer isolated from a Phoenix spacecraft assembly clean room, and it has previously demonstrated resistance to UV radiation up to 1000 J/m(sup 2). The EL appears to bind B. horneckiae spores into large aggregations, or biofilms, and may confer some UV resistance to the spores. Multiple culturing and purification schemes were tried to achieve high purity spores because vegetative cells would skew UV resistance results. An ethanol-based purification scheme produced high purity spores. Selective removal of the EL from spores was attempted with two schemes: a chemical extraction method and physical extraction (sonication). Results from survival rates in the presence and absence of the external layer will provide a new understanding of the role of biofilms and passive resistance that may favor survival of biological systems in aggressive extra-terrestrial environments. The chemical extraction method decreased viable counts of spores and lead to an inconclusive change UV resistance relative to non-extracted spores. The physical extraction method lead to non-aggregated spores and did not alter viability; however, it produced UV resistance profiles similar to non-extracted spores. In addition to the EL-removal study, samples of B. horneckiae spores dried on aluminum coupons and exposed to increasing UV (200-400 nm range) levels (0 to 8.0 x 105 kJ/m(sup 2)) were tested for viability, which indicated that the maximum UV exposure level that still resulted in viable spores was 5.0 x 10? kJ/m(sup 2).

resistance↗