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@article{182856,
        author = {Patil Vaishnavi and Mrs. Pritha Ghosh},
        title = {Life Beyond Earth: Microbial Endurance in Space},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {2},
        pages = {3487-3493},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=182856},
        abstract = {Microorganisms rank among Earth's most ancient and versatile life forms, and they are now aiding our quest to understand life beyond our planet. These minuscule entities have demonstrated their ability to thrive in extreme conditions such as deep-sea vents, acidic springs, and ice tundras and extraterrestrial adaptation. Even more remarkably, they have shown resilience against the harsh conditions of space, including radiation, vacuum, freezing temperatures, and weightlessness. For decades, scientists have been sending microbes into space, subjecting them to both actual and simulated space environments. Certain species, like Bacillus subtilis spores and Cryomyces fungi, have survived for extended periods, especially when shielded by dust or rock layers. These findings support the interesting idea of interplanetary microbial transfer, which says that life might move between planets by traveling on space rocks. They exhibit altered growth patterns, form more robust biofilms, and sometimes develop increased resistance to antibiotics. On the International Space Station (ISS), some bacteria have evolved in ways that could pose risks to astronaut health or damage equipment. Additionally, the unique conditions of space can weaken astronauts' immune systems, making these microbial changes even more worrisome. Nonetheless, microbes are not just passive travellers in space; they also serve as valuable tools in guiding scientists in creating more effective methods for detecting life on other planets. Cutting-edge technologies such as microbial fuel cells, lab-on-a-chip sensors, and antibody-based detectors are being developed using microbial behaviour as a model, harnessing their resilience to support future space exploration and life detection efforts.},
        keywords = {Microbial survivability, Space Adaptation, Interplanetary microbial transfer, International Space Station, Cutting edge technologies},
        month = {July},
        }