Knowledge Tree
desiccation
Facts (11)
Sources
The role of extremophile microbiomes in terraforming Mars - Nature nature.com Nov 17, 2025 5 facts
claimExperimental simulations of the Martian surface incorporate high levels of UV and ionizing radiation, severe desiccation, and a chemically reactive regolith enriched with oxidants like perchlorates and hydrogen peroxide.
claimMethanosarcina soligelidi is a desiccation- and freeze-thaw-resistant methanogenic archaeon discovered in Siberian permafrost-affected soil, as described by D. Wagner et al. in 2013.
referenceThe duration of desiccation affects the dynamic responses of biofilm metabolic activities when the biofilms are subjected to rewetting.
referenceThe bacterium Deinococcus geothermalis is capable of surviving in biofilms when exposed to desiccation, simulated space conditions, and simulated Martian conditions.
referenceAnderson, Apolinario, and Sowers (2012) identified desiccation as a long-term survival mechanism for the archaeon Methanosarcina barkeri.
Life on the Edge: Bioprospecting Extremophiles for Astrobiology link.springer.com May 19, 2023 5 facts
claimHaloarchaea are polyextremophilic microbes that can withstand salinity, anaerobic conditions, high ultraviolet and ionizing radiation levels, subzero temperatures, desiccation, and toxic ions.
claimDeinococcus radiodurans can survive prolonged desiccation under very low relative humidity and in an ultra-high vacuum.
referenceStan-Lotter H and Fendrihan S published a study in 2015 discussing how halophilic archaea survive desiccation, radiation, and oligotrophy over geological timescales.
referenceBilli (2009) analyzed subcellular integrities in Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029 survivors after prolonged desiccation using molecular probes and genome stability assays, published in Extremophiles 13(1):49–57.
referenceBauermeister et al. (2011) examined the effect of relative humidity on Deinococcus radiodurans' resistance to prolonged desiccation, heat, ionizing radiation, germicidal radiation, and environmentally relevant UV radiation, published in Microb Ecol 61:715–722.
Extremophiles: Unlocking biomedical and industrial innovations ... cas.org Oct 29, 2025 1 fact
claimDeinococcus radiodurans and its relatives have developed efficient systems to repair DNA damage caused by radiation and other stresses like desiccation.