Space Microbes Lab

We study microorganisms in space conditions, to advance knowledge in Astrobiology and Space Exploration.

Our research explores how microbial extremophiles can inform the potential for Exoplanet Habitability, and how they can help humanity develop Sustainable Space Habitats.

We challenge the limits of life (as we know it) by investigating how microorganisms – bacteria, archaea, yeast and filamentous fungi – survive and adapt to extreme conditions on Earth, the Moon, Mars and in planets beyond our solar system (exoplanets).

Our Team

Marta Cortesão
Researcher

IA-CAUP, FCUP
Porto, Portugal

Afonso Mota
PhD Candidate

Exoplanet Habitability
IA-CAUP, CIIMAR, MNHN

Inês Figueiredo
External PhD Cand.

Space Waste Recyling
UK Center Astrobiology

Isabel Santos de Sousa
PhD Candidate

Sustainable Space Habitats
ICBAS, FEUP, IA-CAUP

Alessa Schiele
Master Student

Erasmus FCUP
Radboud University

Emilie Tian
Master Student

ERASMUS FCUP
Lorraine University

Joana Mendes
Bachelor Student

Physics-Biology
FCUP

Collaborators

Nuno Santos
Astrophysics
Exoplanets

IA-CAUP

Catarina Magalhães
Microbiome Ecology and Biogeochemistry

CIIMAR – FCUP

Stella Koch
Fungi in Aerospace

German Aerospace Center (DLR)

Rosa Santomartino
Space Microbiology
Space Waste Recycling

Cornell University, USA

Katharina Siems
Space Microbiology

German Aerospace Center (DLR)

Hector Palomeque
Astrobiology

German Aerospace Center (DLR)



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