Life in Space

The Life in Space theme at SpaCe - Aarhus Space Centre explores how life emerges, adapts, and functions beyond Earth

Life in Space theme brings together AU researchers and partners whose expertise—ranging from extreme-environment biology and origin-of-life chemistry to biosignatures, biotechnology, and human health—offers critical insights for understanding and working with life in space. While many contributors do not work directly on space missions, their research or expertise on fundamental biological processes and life under extreme conditions provides essential knowledge for astrobiology, search for life beyond Earth, and for enabling safe, sustainable human presence in space.

Themes covered by the Life in Space theme:

Tina Santl-Temkiv

Associate Professor

M temkiv@bio.au.dk
H 1540, 124
P +4529886984

Astrobiology & Life in Extreme Environments

Microbial survival under radiation, dessication, vacuum, temperature extremes.
Analog environments on Earth as models for extraterrestrial habitats.
Origin-of-life studies and biosignature detection.
Synthetic biology.

Relevant researchers:
Kai Finster, Professor, Department of Biology

Habitability of Mars.

Tina Santl-Temkiv, Associate Proffesor, Department of Biology -

Limits of life, Polar regions as analog environments on Earth.

Detection of life - biosignatures

Biosignatures of solar system planets and meteorites
Atmospheric habitability signes and biosignatures, O₂, H₂O, N₂O, CH₄, DMS…

Kai Finster, Professor, Department of Biology

Biosignatures on Mars.

Tina Santl-Temkiv, Associate Proffesor, Department of Biology

Atmospheric biosoignatures associates with airborne microorganisms

Biotechnology for Space Exploration

Microbial production of food, oxygen, fuels, and materials (biomanufacturing in space).
Soil development, plant growth in space.

Cell & Molecular Biology in Microgravity

Cell growth, differentiation, and physiology in microgravity.
Protein folding without gravity
DNA repair, mutation rates, and stress responses under cosmic radiation.
Tissue models/organoids for studying human health impacts of long-duration spaceflight.

Space Medicine & Human Health

Effects of microgravity on immune function, muscle and bone loss.
Altered cyrcadian cycles
Human microbiome changes during long-term space missions.
Microbial contamination of spacecraft
Microbial, and chemical air quality in closed systems (i.e. ISS and habitats).