Penn State researchers are taking the unique resilience of tardigrades or ‘water bears’ as a basis for evaluation into how living organisms will respond and protect Martian resources. These microscopic extremophiles are known for their ability to survive in the vacuum of space; however, this study primarily focuses on their molecular response to Martian-like conditions and the specific types of proteins that tardigrades use to protect their DNA and cellular structures. Researchers are obtaining significant information regarding biotechnological applications that can be utilised for future space expeditions by studying the proteins produced by tardigrades. This information will not only assist in identifying conditions for possible habitation on other planets, but also provide a model for developing resilient, bio-inspired materials that could be used to protect critical infrastructure and biological assets on the surface of Mars.
The habitability hack: How ‘water bears’ survive Martian stress
Tardigrades are known for their ability to enter into a dormant state known as cryptobiosis, but researchers at Penn State are looking at the very specific molecular mechanisms that allow them to do this. Researchers have identified a new class of ‘disordered proteins’ without a well-defined three-dimensional structure, which appear to be creating a biological glass around the tardigrades’ DNA and other critical cellular components when they experience extreme stress (e.g., extreme radiation or low humidity from Martian-like environments). This glass shrouding is likely preventing the cells from shattering or being permanently damaged in an inhospitable Martian-like environment.
Water Bears are turning proteins into protection
The findings of this research suggest that the survival strategies of water bears could be harnessed to create protective coatings for valuable resources on Mars. By investigating how these microscopic organisms stabilize their biological material, researchers are hopeful to create bio-inspired coatings that could protect sensitive technologies like electronics and pharmaceuticals from degradation caused by cosmic radiation and extreme temperature – effectively moving from passive observation of biological systems to engineering ‘active protective systems’ will mark a significant shift in how we think about sustaining human life on Mars over the long term.Comprehending the way in which the tardigrade adapts serves as an experimental framework when developing resilient infrastructures for Mars. The Penn State University team has pointed out that bio-synthetic analogues of the proteins from rupturing could potentially be synthesised to make self-repairing or ultra-durable materials to build habitats. By designing similar organisational systems and methods that replicate these types of natural protective systems, future missions would eliminate the need for using large amounts of heavy shielding on spacecraft and be able to utilise lightweight biocompatible polymeric materials that respond to their environment similarly to how a tardigrade responds when transitioning into its ‘tun’ state, therefore providing longer-lasting, more successful building solutions.
The biological blueprint for Mars
By demonstrating that organisms from Planet Earth can utilise specific molecular pathways, in order to survive in an environment resembling that of Mars, this research is extending the definition of what can be inhabited; it also creates a point of reference from which to gauge the potential for other extraterrestrial bodies to be deemed habitable. In essence, if we can adapt these biological models, the means for surviving on Mars can be viewed as engineerable biologically, rather than merely surviving by mechanical endurance. For NASA, this biological framework will be essential in advancing its long-term plans for establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon and ultimately Mars.
