. 24/7 Space News .
EXO WORLDS
Meteorite-loving microorganism
by Staff Writers
Vienna, Austria (SPX) Dec 04, 2019

The trafficking of meteorite inorganic constituents into a microbial cell investigated by elemental ultrastructural analysis of M. sedula grown on NWA 1172

Chemolithotrophic microorganisms derive their energy from inorganic sources. Research into the physiological processes of these organisms - which are grown on meteorite - provides new insights into the potential of extraterrestrial materials as a source of accessible nutrients and energy for microorganisms of the early Earth.

Meteorites may have delivered a variety of essential compounds facilitating the evolution of life, as we know it on Earth.

An international team around astrobiologist Tetyana Milojevic from the University of Vienna explored the physiology and metal-microbial interface of the extreme metallophilic archaeon Metallosphaera sedula, living on and interacting with extraterrestrial material, meteorite Northwest Africa 1172 (NWA 1172).

Assessing the biogenicity based on extraterrestrial materials provides a valuable source of information for exploring the putative extraterrestrial bioinorganic chemistry that might have occurred in the Solar System.

Archaeon prefers meteorites
Cells of M. sedula rapidly colonize the meteoritic material, much faster than the minerals of terrestrial origin. "Meteorite-fitness seems to be more beneficial for this ancient microorganism than a diet on terrestrial mineral sources.

NWA 1172 is a multimetallic material, which may provide much more trace metals to facilitate metabolic activity and microbial growth. Moreover, the porosity of NWA 1172 might also reflect the superior growth rate of M. sedula", says Tetyana Milojevic.

Investigations on nanometer scale
The scientists traced the trafficking of meteorite inorganic constituents into a microbial cell and investigated iron redox behavior. They analyzed the meteorite-microbial interface at nanometer scale spatial resolution.

Combining several analytical spectroscopy techniques with transmission electron microscopy, the researchers revealed a set of biogeochemical fingerprints left upon M. sedula growth on the NWA 1172 meteorite.

"Our investigations validate the ability of M. sedula to perform the biotransformation of meteorite minerals, unravel microbial fingerprints left on meteorite material, and provide the next step towards an understanding of meteorite biogeochemistry", concludes Milojevic.

Research Report: "Exploring the microbial biotransformation of extraterrestrial material on nanometer scale"


Related Links
University of Vienna
Lands Beyond Beyond - extra solar planets - news and science
Life Beyond Earth


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


EXO WORLDS
Animal embryos evolved before animals
Bristol UK (SPX) Nov 28, 2019
Animals evolved from single-celled ancestors, before diversifying into 30 or 40 distinct anatomical designs. When and how animal ancestors made the transition from single-celled microbes to complex multicellular organisms has been the focus of intense debate. Until now, this question could only be addressed by studying living animals and their relatives, but now the research team has found evidence that a key step in this major evolutionary transition occurred long before complex animals appear in ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

EXO WORLDS
Spacewalkers back inside ISS after completing work to repair particle detector

All toilets at ISS Break Down, astronauts forced to use 'diapers'

Go for lunch: Japanese yakitori chicken gets space thumbs-up

Russian Roscosmos Says Progress MS-12 Burns Up in Atmosphere After Undocking

EXO WORLDS
Land acquisition underway for 2nd rocket port in Tuticorin

Ariane 5's fourth launch this year

Artemis II rocket propellant tanks prepped for next phase of manufacturing

Launch delayed of satellite from New Zealand that creates artificial shooting stars

EXO WORLDS
Solving fossil mystery could aid quest for ancient life on Mars

Global storms on Mars launch dust towers into the sky

Glaciers as landscape sculptors - the mesas of Deuteronilus Mensae

NASA updates Mars 2020 Mission Environmental Review

EXO WORLDS
China launches satellite service platform

China plans to complete space station construction around 2022: expert

China conducts hovering and obstacle avoidance test in public for first Mars lander mission

Beijing eyes creating first Earth-Moon economic zone

EXO WORLDS
Europe faces up to new space challenges

Germany invests 3.3 billion euro in European space exploration and becomes ESA's largest contributor

Nanoracks-Italy signs MOUs for partnerships with spin-offs from the University of Piemonte Orientale

ESA and Luxembourg Space Agency confirm partnership on space resources

EXO WORLDS
Dutch antennas unfolded behind the moon

New launch communications segment empowers Artemis

Cleaning the dishes is a dusty job in outback Australia

Smart satellites to the rescue of broken satellites

EXO WORLDS
Astronomers propose a novel method of finding atmospheres on rocky worlds

Animal embryos evolved before animals

Scientists sequence genome of devil worm, deepest-living animal

Life under extreme conditions at hot springs in the ocean

EXO WORLDS
Reports of Jupiter's Great Red Spot demise greatly exaggerated

Aquatic rover goes for a drive under the ice

NASA scientists confirm water vapor on Europa

NASA finds Neptune moons locked in 'Dance of Avoidance'









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.