Survivability of Bacillus subtilis Spores After Impact Mediated Ejection from a Planet

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Survivability of Bacillus subtilis Spores After
Impact-Mediated Ejection from a Planet

• Tovy Haber Kamine
• CBS Trainee, SLSTP 2004
• Yale University, New Haven, CT

PI Wayne Nicholson, Ph.D. and Patricia
Fajardo-Cavazos, Ph.D. University of Florida/SLSL
Kennedy Space Center
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Introduction
This project tested the survivability of
bacterial spores during the impact of a meteorite
on a planet and ejection of part of the crust
containing the organisms, simulated using the
2-stage gas gun at NASAs Ames research center. A
1/4-inch aluminum sphere impacted a granite slab
infused with Bacillus subtilis spores at 5.4
km/sec. The spalled pieces were collected in
layers of polyurethane foam, which were then
examined for the presence of viable B. subtilis
spores. Colonies were subjected to molecular
fingerprinting by RAPD-PCR analysis to confirm
the identity of the spores. The results of this
experiment indicate that the spores did survive
the impact, and that those spores found were the
ones placed on the granite, and not contamination.
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Methods
Steps in isolation of bacteria from impact 1.
Layers of foam in the gun 2. Tracks in the foam
3. Grid drawn around tracks 4. Cutting of the
foam 5. Track visible in a foam block 6. Foam
blocks in test tubes. Bacteria then tested for
amylase activity (on starch agar) and
chloramphenicol resistance, before undergoing
RAPD-PCR to confirm the strain was that placed on
the block
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Conclusions

• The experiment was a success, indicating that
  bacteria can survive the impact and ejection from
  a planet.
• This implies (along with other data) that Earth
  is not a closed biological system, i.e. life can
  travel from one planet to another.