In a groundbreaking development, scientists in the United States have proposed an ambitious plan to store animal cells on the moon. This initiative, aimed at preserving Earth’s biodiversity, is part of a broader effort to safeguard the planet’s species against potential global catastrophes. Published in the scientific journal Biosciences, the study outlines the feasibility and necessity of a lunar biorepository.
The Concept of Cryopreservation on the Moon
Cryopreservation, the process of preserving cells at extremely low temperatures, is already utilized on Earth for various biological materials. However, the proposed lunar biorepository would involve storing animal cells at temperatures around -196 degrees Celsius, a requirement met by the moon’s permanently shadowed craters. These craters maintain temperatures cold enough to preserve biological materials without the need for electricity or liquid nitrogen, which are essential for cryopreservation on Earth.
The Team and Their Vision
The multidisciplinary team behind this study includes ecologists, biologists, cryobiologists, systematists, geneticists, geologists, engineers, and experts in law and bioethics. Their collective goal is to develop social, technical, and logistical solutions, along with governance considerations, to finalize the preservation plans within the next decade. Leading this effort is Mary Hagedorn, a research cryobiologist at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
“Initially, a lunar biorepository would target the most at-risk species on Earth today, but our ultimate goal would be to cryopreserve most species on Earth,” says Hagedorn. This ambitious project aims to offset natural disasters and potentially augment space travel, providing a parallel approach to conserving Earth’s biodiversity.
Challenges and Considerations
While the moon’s craters offer the necessary low temperatures, the logistics of transporting biomaterials and maintaining them in the lunar environment present significant challenges. The moon’s temperature can fluctuate dramatically, with certain areas reaching about 100 degrees Celsius during lunar days. This variability requires careful planning and the deployment of advanced technology, including rovers and potentially astronauts, to manage the preservation efforts.
Cryopreservation itself is a well-established method. However, preserving animal cells, particularly fibroblasts, offers several advantages over other types of commonly cryopreserved cells such as sperm, eggs, and embryos. Current scientific capabilities do not reliably preserve the sperm, eggs, and embryos of most wildlife species, making fibroblasts a more viable option for the lunar biorepository.
Broader Implications and Future Collaborations
The proposal for a lunar biorepository is not an isolated effort. It builds upon existing initiatives and facilities dedicated to preserving biological diversity. For instance, the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard, Norway, serves as a backup for the world’s seed diversity. Despite an incident in 2017 where permafrost meltwater infiltrated the vault, it remains a critical resource for preserving plant biodiversity.
The Smithsonian scientists hope to expand their partnerships to include laboratories and agencies involved in space research. They aim to test the packaging and preservation of fibroblast cells under space-like conditions on Earth, secure support for testing on the International Space Station, and develop sample and banking methodologies for partners collecting on Earth.
Local Efforts and Global Impact
Kenya has also made significant strides in preserving biological diversity. The Azizi facility, located at the International Livestock Research Institute, serves as a biorepository capable of storing over 450,000 samples. These samples include blood, serum, DNA, RNA, tissue, and pathogens from insects, livestock, and wildlife species in Africa. Unlike the Global Seed Vault, Azizi’s samples are not intended for replanting but for future studies on animal diversity and adaptation, contributing to global food security.
The proposal to store animal cells on the moon is a visionary step towards preserving Earth’s biodiversity in the face of potential global disasters. By leveraging the unique conditions of the moon’s permanently shadowed craters, scientists aim to create a secure and resilient biorepository. While the project faces significant logistical and technical challenges, the potential benefits for conservation and space exploration are immense. As global environmental and human activities continue to threaten biodiversity, innovative solutions like the lunar biorepository offer hope for the future preservation of Earth’s precious species.
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