Abstract
Deciphering how microorganisms can adapt to what we consider, in an anthropocentric way, extreme, is not only challenging intellectually, but also an issue of intense social and commercial interest. The metabolism and physiology of extremophiles have such peculiar features as to be fascinating per se; however, their commercial potential, albeit long recognized, is far from being fully realized. Discovering the extremes at which life can occur has made more plausible the search for life on other planets, with many more discoveries likely to come due to improvements in exploration and analytical technology (Rothschild and Mancinelli 2001). The International Space Station provides a unique opportunity in establishing the limits of endurance of life as we know it; results of ongoing research will provide insights into the potential of life to survive beyond Earth (Rabbow et al. 2009).
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Keywords
- International Space Station
- Desiccation Tolerance
- Desiccation Resistance
- Cold Desert
- Deinococcus Radiodurans
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In memoriam of Imre Friedmann and Roseli Ocampo-Friedmann.
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Billi, D. (2012). Anhydrobiotic rock-inhabiting cyanobacteria: Potential for astrobiology and biotechnology. In: Stan-Lotter, H., Fendrihan, S. (eds) Adaption of Microbial Life to Environmental Extremes. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-99691-1_6
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