An interview with Professor Charles Cockell

Charles Cockell is Professor of Astrobiology at the University of Edinburgh. His research focuses on studying life in extreme environments. In this interview, he tells us more about his time working at the NASA Ames Research Center, why microbiology has an impact on extreme confines of space and why understanding life on other planets is important to microbiology.

Tell us more about your current research

My research focuses on studying life in extreme environments. My group investigates the limits of life; life in multiple extreme environments, and the implications of these findings for the habitability of other planetary bodies.

We are investigating life in extreme ionic environments, in the deep subsurface and in volcanic environments. We recently completed a project to study the diversity of life in extreme basaltic environments. Last summer we successfully flew an experiment to the International Space Station, called BioRock, to study the growth of three species of microorganisms on rock in order to understand the effects of microgravity and simulated martian gravity on biofilm formation, bioleaching and other facets of microbial growth in space. So, we have a number of ongoing experiments that involve microbial growth in extremes.

You took up a National Research Council Associateship Program at the NASA Ames Research Center. Can you tell us more about this experience and the research you took part in?

I was involved in examining the effects of ultraviolet radiation on microbes, specifically cyanobacterial microbial mats, and theoretically modelling early Earth radiation climates as well as the physical environments of other planetary bodies such as Mars. It was at the NASA Ames Research Center that I really made the transition into microbiology. It was an excellent experience as it allowed me to link microbiology with space sciences, which is an interest I have had for a long time.

What impact do you think microbiology has had on the extreme confines of space?

Micro-organisms of course are everywhere where humans exist, and they will follow us into space whether we want them to or not. Therefore, understanding how they grow in space, such as in microgravity, and how they interact with humans, is enormously important. Furthermore, using robotic craft we are likely to contaminate other planets. What chance is there that such microbes will grow in these environments and do we need to be concerned that they could compromise scientific investigations? There are many questions that link microbiology and space exploration.

Why does understanding life on other planets matter to microbiology?

We know that Mars for instance, had habitable conditions in its past. The question is whether there was life there to take advantage of those conditions. Microbiology is needed to make these types of assessments. I think though, regardless of whether there is extra-terrestrial life or not, studying the environments of other planets provides us with an outstanding way of looking at Earth's environments with a fresh perspective and ask scientific questions from a new angle. For example, studying Mars opens up questions about microbial adaptations to ions rarely found on Earth that might help us understand more fundamental questions about life's adaptations to extremes on Earth.