Surviving space radiation: lessons from microorganisms

One of the biggest problems of interplanetary human missions and space settlement is the exposure of biological systems to high levels of cosmic radiation. Solving this problem will not only enable humans to reach Mars safely, but will unleash the path for planetary colonization in centuries to come.  On Earth, some organisms are able to proliferate normally under doses of radiation orders of magnitude higher than the lethal doses for humans. Many of them have actually been exposed to real space conditions on Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and survived! Scientists are constantly learning how they do that and are now starting to envision ways to transfer this capability to future astronauts and also many other applications here on Earth.  In this presentation, Dr. Paulino-Lima will give a general overview on the molecular mechanisms of radiation resistance and protection used by microorganisms and point to future directions in both fundamental and applied research.

Speaker: Dr. Ivan Paulino-Lima

Note:  Foothill College room 5015 is next to Parking Lot 5