Damages Within Spores (Expose-R- Photo) Expose – R Photo DNA Photodamage: Measurements of Vacuum Solar Radiation-induced DNA
INDUCED DNA DAMAGES WITHIN SPORES (EXPOSE-R-PHOTO)
Research Area: Astrobiology
Expedition(s): 18- 26
Principal Investigator(s): ● Jean Cadet, French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy
Commission, Grenoble, France
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Expose-R facility hosts a suite of
astrobiology experiments, some of which
could help understand how life originated
on Earth. This suite of experiments are
accommodated in 3 special sample trays,
which are loaded with a variety of
biological samples and exposed to the
harsh environment of open space for
almost 2 years from March 2009-January- This experiment is studying the
effect of exposure of bacterial spores and
samples of their DNA to solar UV
radiation. The objective is to assess the
quantity and chemistry of chemical
products produced. The samples are either completely exposed or protected by artificial
meteorite materials, clays, and salt crystals.
RESULTS
Results from Expose-R-Photo are pending completion of analysis and data evaluation before
conclusive results are prepared and published.
This investigation is complete; however additional results are pending publication.
ISS018E039266 – View of Expose-R as it is being set up
with Earth in the background.