Gerda Horneck

TL;DR: The molecular laboratory model of spore resistance mechanisms is summarized and attempts to use the model as a basis for exploration of the resistance of spores to environmental extremes both on Earth and during postulated interplanetary transfer through space as a result of natural impact processes.

TL;DR: The possibility and probability of natural transfer of viable microbes from Mars to Earth and Earth to Mars traveling in meteoroids during the first 0.5 Ga and the following 4 Ga are investigated in this article.

TL;DR: With this 6 year study in space, experimental data are provided to the discussion on the likelihood of "Panspermia", where up to 10(4) viable spores were still recovered, even in completely unprotected samples.

TL;DR: Findings indicate that most lichenized fungal and algal cells can survive in space after full exposure to massive UV and cosmic radiation, conditions proven to be lethal to bacteria and other microorganisms.

TL;DR: Evidence is provided of the differential hardiness of cryptoendolithic communities in space, which some-but not all-of those most robust microbial communities from extremely hostile regions on Earth are also partially resistant to the even more hostile environment of outer space.