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News18
2 days ago
- Science
- News18
‘Eight-Legged Water Bears' To Travel With Shubhanshu Shukla To ISS: What Are Tardigrades? Explained
Last Updated: On the planet from before dinosaurs, tardigrades can survive extreme heat, cold and even mass extinctions. Advanced sunscreens, stronger space medicine to crops, they hold the key During his two-week mission at the International Space Station (ISS), astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will, among other things, study tardigrades – the eight-legged water bears or moss piglets. What are these microscopic organisms? Why do scientists study them? Discovered by German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze in 1773, tardigrades, around 0.5 mm long when fully grown, have four pairs of legs, with four-six claws on each foot. They also have a specialised mouth which helps them suck nutrients from plant cells, algae, and other small invertebrates. Tardigrades are robust aquatic animals that have been around for roughly 600 million years, 400 million years before dinosaurs walked the planet. Tardigrades can be found in the highest mountains to the deepest oceans. Their most common habitat, however, is the thin film of water found on mosses and lichens, which gives them the name 'moss piglets'. Tardigrades have survived all five major mass extinction events and scientists believe they could be around long after humanity has died out. They can withstand temperatures as low as minus 272.95 degrees Celsius or as high as 150 degrees Celsius. Stand ultraviolet radiation of space. Pressures of 40,000 kilopascals (equivalent to what can be experienced at a depth of 4 km under the ocean's surface). Live after being stored in a freezer for 30 years, according to a report by Front Line Genomics. WHAT IS VOYAGER TARDIGRADES MISSION? Scientists take tardigrades to the ISS, reviving them there and examine the effects of space radiation and microgravity on their biological processes and their DNA repair process. The key aim is to identify the genes that make them resilient, which could in turn help create ways to protect astronauts better during human space exploration missions. Their study could help revolutionise: In short, the study could help in creation of more resilient crops, advanced sunscreens, preserving human tissues and organs for transplantation. THEY TRAVELLED TO SPACE, RETURNED & REPRODUCED In 2007: 3,000 moss piglets travelled aboard the European Space Agency's Foton-M3 mission. They were carried in box opened in space, which was rehyrdrated on returning to Earth. The German and Swedish scientists undertaking the experiment found that not only did many water bears survive the harsh space environment, some were also able to reproduce successfully. They became the first animal to survive exposure to space. Before water bears, animals had only survived space in the safety of a spaceship or space suit. About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ...Read More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla to take tardigrades on ISS mission; what are they, and why are scientists fascinated by the eight-legged ‘water bears'
Source: NASA Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla prepares for his two-week mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), from other scientific experiments one of the most intriguing is that he will undertake some of the tiniest yet toughest organisms on Earth tardigrades. This experiment, known as the Voyager Tardigrades mission , will explore how these microscopic creatures survive, reproduce, and repair themselves in the harsh environment of space. The Voyager Tardigrades experiment isn't just about observing resilient lifeforms, but it is about preparing for the future of human space exploration. If scientists can unlock the biological secrets that allow tardigrades to thrive in hostile environments, it could revolutionise space medicine, genetics, biomaterials, and even cryopreservation. What are tardigrades - the 'water bears' of the microbial world Tardigrades , affectionately known as 'water bears' or 'moss piglets,' are aquatic micro-animals with a history that predates the dinosaurs by around 400 million years. They first emerged approximately 600 million years ago and have survived all five of Earth's mass extinction events. These creatures are tiny around 0.5 mm long with eight legs, each ending in claw-like structures, and a mouth specialised for extracting nutrients from plant cells, algae, and tiny invertebrates. Tardigrades thrive in extreme environments, from deep ocean trenches to mountaintops, but are most commonly found in the thin films of moisture on mosses and lichens, hence the nickname "moss piglets." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Confidence packed. Wrinkles left behind. Philips Garment Steamers Book Now Undo Why are scientists so interested to study 'tardigrades' Although first discovered in 1773 by German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze, tardigrades have attracted growing scientific interest in recent decades. Their resilience to extreme conditions is nothing short of astonishing: Survive temperatures from -272.95°C to 150°C Endure extreme radiation, the vacuum of space, and crushing pressures Live after being frozen for 30 years Understanding these survival mechanisms could have practical applications in various fields from preserving human organs for transplants to developing radiation-resistant materials, hardier crops, and even advanced sunscreens. What makes tardigrades so special Tardigrades owe their remarkable survival skills to a biological process known as cryptobiosis, a near-complete shutdown of metabolic functions in response to environmental stress. One key form, anhydrobiosis, allows them to lose more than 95% of their body water, entering a dry, shrunken state known as a tun. In this tun state, tardigrades produce unique proteins, such as cytoplasmic-abundant heat soluble (CAHS) proteins. These proteins create a gel-like matrix inside cells, protecting DNA and other cellular components by vitrifying them, or turning them into a glass-like state. What is the Voyager Tardigrades experiment The Voyager Tardigrades experiment will involve sending tardigrades to the ISS in their dormant tun state. Once in orbit, scientists will rehydrate and revive them to study how space radiation and microgravity affect their biology. The main objective is to identify genes and molecular mechanisms that allow tardigrades to repair DNA and maintain function in space. These insights could be instrumental in: Protecting astronauts from radiation during long-duration missions Preventing muscle and bone loss in zero gravity Preserving biological materials during extended space travel Have tardigrades been sent to space before Yes. Tardigrades have a track record in space. In 2007, about 3,000 water bears were sent aboard the European Space Agency's Foton-M3 mission. The creatures were kept in turn inside a small capsule, whose lid opened to expose them directly to space. After returning to Earth and being rehydrated, many of the tardigrades were found to have survived and some even reproduced successfully. While UV radiation reduced survival rates slightly, the experiment showed that the vacuum of space alone was not lethal to them. This historic test made tardigrades the first known animals to survive direct exposure to outer space without the protection of a spacecraft or spacesuit. Also Read | NASA's James Webb Telescope reveals rising risk of 'city-killer' asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting the Moon in 2032
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Science
- Indian Express
Explained: Why scientists study tardigrades, tiny eight-legged ‘water bears', in space
Among the scientific experiments astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will undertake during his two week stay at the International Space Station (ISS) is one that will examine the revival, survival, and reproduction of tardigrades in space. What is the Voyager Tardigrades experiment? And why do scientists study these microscopic, eight-legged organisms? First, what are tardigrades? Tardigrades, also known as 'water bears', are robust aquatic animals that have been around for roughly 600 million years, 400 million years before dinosaurs walked the planet. They have survived all the five major mass extinction events to have taken place thus far, and scientists believe they could be around long after humanity has died out. Typically about 0.5 mm long when fully grown, tardigrades have four pairs of legs, with 4-6 claws on each foot. They also have a specialised mouth which helps them suck nutrients from plant cells, algae, and other small invertebrates. Tardigrades can be found almost everywhere — from the highest mountains to the deepest oceans. Their most common habitat, however, is the thin film of water found on mosses and lichens, which bestows upon these animals the moniker of 'moss piglets'. Why do scientists study tardigrades? Although these micro-animals were discovered in 1773 by German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze, they have become a subject of intensive research in the past few decades. This is because tardigrades are remarkably resilient creatures, known to survive in the harshest of conditions. Water bears have been known to withstand temperatures as low as minus 272.95 degrees Celsius or as high as 150 degrees Celsius; endure ultraviolet radiation of space and pressures of 40,000 kilopascals (equivalent to what can be experienced at a depth of 4 km under the ocean's surface); and live after being stored in a freezer for 30 years, according to a report by Front Line Genomics. A better understanding of tardigrades' survival mechanisms can potentially have several applications: from helping scientists develop more resilient crops to creating advanced sunscreens to preserving human tissues and organs for transplantation. Why are tardigrades so resilient? Siddharth Pandey, an affiliate research scientist with US-based Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, told The Indian Express that tardigrades owe their incredible resilience to cryptobiosis, a state in which organisms bring their metabolism to a near-complete standstill in the face of adverse environmental conditions. Tardigrades can reduce their metabolism to less than 0.01% of normal, and drop their water levels by more than 95%, a state called anhydrobiosis. Both anhydrobiosis and cryptobiosis result in the emergence of a durable shrunken state, called tun, in which tardigrades are able to withstand extreme conditions. Also, these animals produce unique proteins such as cytoplasmic-abundant heat soluble (CAHS) proteins which are key to their resilience. 'These [proteins] form a gel-like matrix within their cells, vitrifying and protecting essential cellular components from destruction. This allows them to withstand extreme temperatures, radiation, and the vacuum of space,' Pandey said. What does the Voyager Tardigrades experiment seek to do? Scientists will take tardigrades to the ISS in a state of tun, before reviving them and examining the effects of space radiation and microgravity on their biological processes. The primary objective of the experiment is to identify the genes that are responsible for making these animals resilient. In other words, scientists hope to pinpoint the specific molecular machinery that enables tardigrades' survival and DNA repair in space. This will help scientists develop strategies to protect astronauts during long-duration space missions, and preserve biological materials for extended space travel. For instance, the survival mechanisms of tardigrades can be used to come up with strategies that better shield astronauts from space radiation, or counteract muscle and bone density loss experienced during lengthy space stays. Have tardigrades been taken to space before? Tardigrades have been a part of space missions since 2007, when some 3,000 moss piglets hitched a ride to space aboard the European Space Agency's Foton-M3 mission. The tardigrades, in a state of tun, were kept in a little round box on the side of the spacecraft whose lid was opened in space. Upon returning to Earth, they were rehydrated and examined. The German and Swedish scientists undertaking the experiment found that not only did many water bears survive the harsh space environment, some were also able to reproduce successfully. 'While exposure to UV radiation did cause some damage and reduce survival rates slightly, the experiment confirmed that the vacuum of space alone was not a barrier to their survival, solidifying their status as one of Earth's most durable organisms,' Pandey said. The experiment also made tardigrades the first animal to survive exposure to space. Before water bears, animals had only survived space in the safety of a spaceship or space suit.
