Freitag 5.05.2017
14:00 – 16:00 Uhr
HS 413 (1. OG) NAWI

Extremotolerance can be observed in many examples of the lichen symbiosis. These organisms are well-known colonizers of diverse environments such as the Namib Desert, high alpine rock biota or the cold deserts of Antarctica. As macroscopic, multicellular, at least in part eukaryotic associations, many lichen species’ potential to survive under seemingly adverse conditions is unparalleled by any vascular plant. The features of extremotolerance are diverse, spanning from metabolites to thallus structure. These ability to tolerate extreme abiotic stress makes lichens ideal model organisms for astrobiological research. Subjecting lichen thalli to simulated or actual outer space conditions helped assessing the limits of life. When the symbiotic contact is artificially broken and the isolated photobionts are examined, part of the stress resistance of the entire association can still be observed. Especially the ability to fall into a state of latent life upon desiccation and regaining activity when rehydrated was examined. Isolated photobionts resisted extremes of temperature, drought and radiation, even when combined. The mechanisms of stress tolerance can be found on the level of gene expression, metabolites, repair and especially photosynthesis.
Dr. Ulrike Ruprecht und Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ulrike-G. Berninger 
Gäste sind wie immer herzlich willkommen!