ArticleFEMS microbiology ecology2019
Inevitable future: space colonization beyond Earth with microbes first.
Article in FEMS microbiology ecology, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 35 citations in OpenAlex.
- Decoding extremophiles: insights from bioinformatics, machine learning, and data-driven approaches.Briefings in bioinformatics · 2026Review
- Extreme microbes for a changing planet and beyond.Sustainable microbiology · 2026Article
- The role of extremophile microbiomes in terraforming Mars.Communications biology · 2025Review
- Survival strategies of Rhinocladiella similis in perchlorate-rich Mars like environments.NPJ microgravity · 2025Article
- Extremophiles in Space Exploration.Indian journal of microbiology · 2024Review
- Article
- Shedding light on the composition of extreme microbial dark matter: alternative approaches for culturing extremophiles.Frontiers in microbiology · 2023Review
- The chemical neighborhood of cells in a diffusion-limited system.Frontiers in microbiology · 2023Article
- The 1, 2-ethylenediamine SQ109 protects against tuberculosis by promoting M1 macrophage polarization through the p38 MAPK pathway.Communications biology · 2022Article
- The rising dominance of microbiology: what to expect in the next 15 years?Microbial biotechnology · 2022Article
- Effects of Radiation Intensity, Mineral Matrix, and Pre-Irradiation on the Bacterial Resistance to Gamma Irradiation under Low Temperature Conditions.Microorganisms · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Based on modern microbiology, we propose a major revision in current space exploration philosophy and planetary protection policy, especially regarding microorganisms in space. Mainly, microbial introduction should not be considered accidental but inevitable. We hypothesize the near impossibility of exploring new planets without carrying and/or delivering any microbial travelers. In addition, although we highlight the importance of controlling and tracking such contaminations-to explore the existence of extraterrestrial microorganisms-we also believe that we must discuss the role of microbes as primary colonists and assets, rather than serendipitous accidents, for future plans of extraterrestrial colonization. This paradigm shift stems partly from the overwhelming evidence of microorganisms' diverse roles in sustaining life on Earth, such as symbioses and ecosystem services (decomposition, atmosphere effects, nitrogen fixation, etc.). Therefore, we propose a framework for new discussion based on the scientific implications of future colonization and terraforming: (i) focus on methods to track and avoid accidental delivery of Earth's harmful microorganisms and genes to extraterrestrial areas; (ii) begin a rigorous program to develop and explore 'Proactive Inoculation Protocols'. We outline a rationale and solicit feedback to drive a public and private research agenda that optimizes diverse organisms for potential space colonization.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.