Seminar: The Rare Microbiome, Contamination and Planetary Protection

Pushing back the detection limits, technological advances are now allowing the detection and analysis of very low content DNA samples.

A so far unseen diversity of microbes emerges sometimes filling gaps in microbial evolution or raising more questions. This online workshop will explore the importance of defining microbial diversity and abundance in low biomass and extreme environments to the future of planetary protection.

We will delve into the “Rare Microbiome,” investigating low abundance microbial life in Earth’s extreme environments and the methods required to detect them. Building upon this, the workshop will address the crucial issue of microbial contamination during space missions, examining current methods for tracking, monitoring and mitigating contamination risks.

Finally, we will delve into the principles of planetary protection, emphasizing their ethical and scientific importance in safeguarding other worlds in a era of space exploration. This interdisciplinary workshop also aims to provide a forum for active debate to advance our understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by microbial life in the context of space exploration.

Registration link https://europeanastrobiology.eu/rare-microbiome-workshop-april-2026/

Astrobiology,