‘Supermoss’ could help support life on Mars – DW – 08.07.2024

Researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, have identified a species of desert moss known as Syntrichia caninervis that can survive in the extreme conditions of Mars.

The research team focused on studying this moss to learn more about the organisms’ tolerance to extreme conditions and their ability to survive and regenerate in simulated Martian conditions, a local newspaper reported this Sunday (07/07/2024). Global Times.

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Researchers have conducted scientific experiments that have proven that Syntrichia caninervis can tolerate cellular dehydration of more than 98%, withstand temperatures as low as -196°C without dying, resist gamma radiation of more than 5000 Gy, and quickly recover by growing and turning green, showing greater resistance.

The study showed that in simulated Martian conditions with many obstacles, Syntrichia caninervis is still able to survive and regenerate upon return to suitable conditions.

The research team also identified unique characteristics of Syntrichia caninervis, most notably the fact that its overlapping leaves reduce water evaporation and the white leaf tips reflect intense sunlight.

Moreover, moss can enter a state of selective metabolic dormancy under adverse conditions and collect the energy needed to recover when the environment improves.

A team of experts plans to conduct experiments on the spacecraft to study the survival response and adaptive capabilities of species in microgravity conditions and various adverse effects of ionizing radiation.

Their goal is to unravel the physiological and molecular basis of the moss and study the key mechanisms regulating its viability in the hope that the moss will play a role in the colonization of space.

China has invested heavily in its space program and has achieved such successes as landing the Chang’e 4 probe on the far side of the moon (the first time this has been achieved) and reaching Mars for the first time, becoming the third country in the world, after the United States and the former Soviet Union, to do so.

uh (ephew, Reuters)