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Title: Deposition of extreme-tolerant bacterial strains isolated during different phases of phoenix spacecraft assembly in a public culture collection

Author
item VENKATESWARAN, KASTHURI - California Institute Of Technology
item VAISHAMPAYAN, PARAG - California Institute Of Technology
item BENARDINI III, JAMES - California Institute Of Technology
item Rooney, Alejandro - Alex
item SPRY, J - California Institute Of Technology

Submitted to: Astrobiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/5/2013
Publication Date: 1/10/2014
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/62348
Citation: Venkateswaran, K., Vaishampayan, P., Benardini III, J.N., Rooney, A.P., Spry, J.A. 2014. Deposition of extreme-tolerant bacterial strains isolated during different phases of Phoenix spacecraft assembly in a public culture collection. Astrobiology. 14(1):24-26.

Interpretive Summary: This manuscript describes the isolation, characterization and archival of extreme-tolerant bacteria isolated as part of a collaborative effort between the USDA-ARS and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Bacteria that tolerate extreme environmental conditions possess unique biochemical characteristics that make them attractive for various agricultural or biotechnological applications. Archiving extreme-tolerant microorganisms from NASA missions into ARS microbial collections provides opportunities for scientists conducting research on agricultural application of such microoganisms and for private industry partners interested in exploring their potential commercial uses.

Technical Abstract: Extreme-tolerant bacteria (82 strains; 67 species) isolated during various assembly phases of the Phoenix spacecraft were permanently archived within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service Culture Collection in Peoria, Illinois. This represents the first microbial collection of spacecraft associated surfaces within the United States to be deposited into a freely available, government-funded culture collection. Archiving extreme-tolerant microorganisms from NASA mission(s) will provide opportunities for scientists who are involved in exploring microbes that can tolerate extreme conditions. Key Words: Acidophile—Alkaliphile—Extremophiles—Planetary protection—Mission. Astrobiology 14, 24–26.