Life Sciences in Space Research最新文献

{"title":"Differential regulation of mitochondrial quality control in skeletal muscle by HZE radiation exposure and partial weightbearing in mice","authors":"Carla MC Nascimento ,&nbsp;James D. Fluckey ,&nbsp;Florence Lima ,&nbsp;Brandon R. Macias ,&nbsp;Yasaman Shirazi-Fard ,&nbsp;Elizabeth S. Greene ,&nbsp;Leslie A. Braby ,&nbsp;Susan A. Bloomfield ,&nbsp;Michael P Wiggs","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.10.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.10.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Spaceflight places astronauts under both reduced mechanical loading and ionizing radiation, each of which can compromise skeletal muscle health. We investigated whether 21 days of simulated lunar gravity (one sixth G) with or without a single 0.5 Gy dose of ²⁸Si heavy ion radiation alters transcriptional regulators of mitochondrial quality control in mouse gastrocnemius muscle. Female BALB/cByJ mice were assigned to four groups: Sham + 1 G (SHAM+CC), Rad + 1 G (RAD+CC), Sham + <em>G</em>/6 (SHAM+<em>G</em>/6), Rad + <em>G</em>/6 (RAD+<em>G</em>/6) and relative mRNA levels of key regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis, mitophagy, dynamics and electron transport chain content were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Radiation significantly suppressed PGC-1α (<em>p</em> = 0.035) and TFAM (<em>p</em> = 0.051) transcripts and reduced LC3b (<em>p</em> = 0.033) and Park2 (<em>p</em> = 0.007) expression; no effects of simulated lunar gravity or interaction effects were detected. Composite scores confirmed suppression of biogenesis (<em>p</em> = 0.029) and a trend toward reduced mitophagy (<em>p</em> = 0.057). Transcripts encoding oxidative phosphorylation subunits and fusion and fission factors remained unchanged, suggesting preserved mitochondrial content and network homeostasis at day 21. These findings indicate that a single space relevant heavy ion exposure selectively disrupts early transcriptional steps of mitochondrial turnover without immediately altering organelle abundance of transcripts for electron transport chain or dynamics; in contrast simulated lunar gravity alone did not elicit changes in these pathways.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"48 ","pages":"Pages 156-165"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gypsophytes and the use of Martian Gypsum: A review of their potential for agriculture on Mars","authors":"Miguel de Luis ,&nbsp;Jordi López-Pujol ,&nbsp;Juan Mota ,&nbsp;M. Encarna Merlo ,&nbsp;Julio Álvarez-Jiménez ,&nbsp;Jose Ignacio Aparicio ,&nbsp;Carmen Bartolomé ,&nbsp;Jens Ormö ,&nbsp;Laura M. Parro","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.09.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.09.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gypsophytes are plants that thrive on gypsum soils on Earth. They possess some adaptive traits that could constitute pre-adaptations to the conditions for potential cultivation in a controlled habitat on Mars. Martian agriculture should utilize substrates obtained directly from the planet itself. However, the detection of perchlorates in the soil of Mars raises doubts about this possibility. These molecules are distributed globally and in concentrations toxic to both humans and plants. The polar winds may preserve some Martian gypsum outcrops from the effects of perchlorates. If so, using this Martian gypsum as a growing substrate for gypsophytes may be a viable option. In the medium term, implementing gypsophyte adaptations on staple crops would also be possible using CRISPR-Cas9 and/or other gene-editing technologies. According to the literature reviewed, <em>Gypsophila struthium</em> subsp. <em>struthium</em> shows a high degree of colonization capacity and high resistance to drought. This taxon serves as an ecological facilitator for other species, and its germination appears to be favored by the presence of gypsum. Several experimental results suggest it would be worthwhile to test the cultivation of this and other plants on reliable simulants or Martian gypsum through sample return missions or on a mission that would perform the cultivation on Mars itself.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"48 ","pages":"Pages 17-25"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhanced accuracy in radiation dose estimation for astronauts using mesh-type reference computational phantoms","authors":"Vivek Kaushik ,&nbsp;Sabyasachi Paul ,&nbsp;Sunder Sahayanathan ,&nbsp;S Anand","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.11.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.11.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the increasing ambition of deep space missions, the accurate estimation of radiation doses to astronauts has become a critical concern. Traditional radiation dose estimation methods may often overestimate the biological impact due to their limitations in accurately modelling thin-layered organs. This study employs advanced Mesh-type Reference Computational Phantoms (MRCPs) along with the Geant4 simulation toolkit to calculate dose conversion coefficients and quality factors for various radiations, including protons, alpha particles, carbon, magnesium, and iron ions using both ICRP and NASA radiation quality factor models. The results demonstrate improvements in dose estimations, particularly for organs with thin structures, such as the skin. For example, at energies below 10 MeV/u, the absorbed dose to the skin calculated using the MRCP phantom was up to 30 % lower than that obtained from the Voxel-type Reference Computational Phantoms (VRCPs), due to the MRCP's ability to distinguish between sensitive and insensitive skin layers. Similarly, the quality factors for heavy ions (e.g., iron and magnesium) calculated using the MRCP were 10–20 % lower at intermediate energies (10–100 MeV/u) compared to VRCP-based values, reflecting more accurate LET-dependent biological effectiveness calculations. Additionally, the body-mean quality factor for protons at low energies (&lt;100 MeV/u) showed a 15 % reduction when using MRCPs, correcting previous estimations from VRCP-based methods. The improved accuracy in dose and quality factor calculations enables better-informed decisions regarding mission planning, shielding requirements, and radiation protection strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"48 ","pages":"Pages 250-259"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dose-specific lncRNA–mRNA networks modulate DNA damage and immune responses in CD4⁺ T cells under simulated space UVC irradiation","authors":"Xiaolin Ding ,&nbsp;Yue Pang ,&nbsp;Boxiang Zhang ,&nbsp;Lei Zhao ,&nbsp;Xiaoyan Niu ,&nbsp;Dan Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.09.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.09.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ultraviolet-C (UVC) irradiation is a prevalent component of the extraterrestrial radiation spectrum. To explore how long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) orchestrate cellular responses under simulated space UVC radiation, we exposed human CD4⁺ T cells to varying doses of UVC (100–800 J/m²). High-dose (400 and 800 J /m²) exposure significantly reduced cell viability and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, whereas low-dose (100 and 200 J/m²) exposure triggered only modest ROS increases without compromising cell survival. At 24 h post-irradiation, microarray profiling revealed that the low-dose group was found to have a total of 155 mRNAs and 62 lncRNAs with altered expression, which were enriched in DNA damage response and p53 signaling pathways. In contrast, the high-dose group exhibited 913 mRNAs and 913 lncRNAs linked to immune and metabolic pathways. Co-expression analyses identified distinct lncRNA–mRNA networks in response to different UVC doses. Specifically, three lncRNAs were found to be positively or negatively correlated with eight DNA-repair transcripts in the low-dose group, while four lncRNAs showed positive correlations with six immune-related mRNAs in the high-dose group. These expression changes were confirmed by RT-qPCR. Notably, survival analyses in melanoma datasets implicated CDKN1A, MDM2 and lncRNA CMAHP as potential prognostic targets. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that space-level UVC doses are interpreted by dose-specific lncRNA–mRNA networks that direct either DNA damage response or immune-defense programs in CD4⁺ T cells.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"48 ","pages":"Pages 123-131"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Digital twin modelling in microgravity: A framework for predictive and personalised space medicine","authors":"Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui ,&nbsp;Rizwan Qaisar ,&nbsp;Adel Elmoselhi ,&nbsp;Naveed Ahmed Khan","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.11.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.11.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human spaceflight exposes the body to a complex array of physiological stressors that collectively alter cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, immune, and nervous systems. Continuous biomedical monitoring produces vast, but fragmented datasets including physiological data, omics profiles, imaging, and behavioural metrics. However, these data are often analysed retrospectively rather than used dynamically to guide countermeasures in real time. Digital twin technology, which creates adaptive computational replicas of physical systems that evolve with incoming data, provides a novel framework for personalised astronaut health management. This article outlines how individualised digital twins could integrate multi-omics, physiological, and environmental data to predict deconditioning, optimise countermeasure protocols, and guide in-flight medical decisions. A phased roadmap for implementation is proposed, from Earth-based analogue validation to mission-integrated predictive modelling. Digital twins could ultimately enable precision space medicine, transforming astronaut monitoring from observation to anticipation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"48 ","pages":"Pages 37-39"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neuroprotective and neuromodulatory role of agmatine in mitigating simulated microgravity-induced cognitive and behavioral deficits in rats","authors":"Pankaj Neje,&nbsp;Sayli Kulkarni,&nbsp;Shalakha Dabhekar,&nbsp;Brijesh Taksande,&nbsp;Milind Umekar,&nbsp;Shubhada Mangrulkar","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.09.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.09.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Extended periods of microgravity during orbital flights can impair astronauts' cognitive abilities, including learning and memory, posing a persistent health concern in the field of aerospace medicine. The study examined the pharmacological effects of agmatine and its influence on simulated neurobehavioral changes in rats under microgravity conditions. Rats were exposed to simulated microgravity (SMG) conditions using the hindlimb unloading (HU) model for 28 days and evaluated for behavioural alterations using the open field test, elevated plus maze, and forced swim test, and cognitive deficits using the novel object recognition test and Morris water maze. Further, brain agmatine levels, neurochemical and structural alterations in the hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex were examined. Chronic agmatine treatment dose-dependently (40 and 80mg/kg) and its endogenous modulation by <span>l</span>-arginine, and aminoguanidine prevented behavioral and cognitive deficits by improving exploratory behaviour, reducing anxiety-depressive-like symptoms, and enhancing cognitive performance. Our findings reported a significant reduction in agmatine levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in SMG conditions. Agmatine administration and its modulation normalized neurotransmitter imbalances, especially by restoring the reduced levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine, and serotonin, along with a reduction of elevated levels of glutamate in SMG conditions. Moreover, agmatine decreased reactive oxygen species production, enhanced hippocampal antioxidant enzyme activities, suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), and improved IL-10 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in HU rats. Moreover, agmatine and its endogenous modulation preserved neuronal cells of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. In conclusion, the present study suggests that agmatine administration and modulation of endogenous agmatine levels effectively mitigate SMG-induced neurological dysregulation through neuroprotection and neuromodulation. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these effects opens up new possibilities for creating novel interventions targeting agmatinergic signaling in spaceflight conditions and associated complications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"48 ","pages":"Pages 99-110"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility of portable Raman SERS for blood biomarker monitoring in spaceflight conditions","authors":"Hayley N. Brawley ,&nbsp;Isaac D. Juárez ,&nbsp;Dmitry Kurouski ,&nbsp;Sara R. Zwart ,&nbsp;Scott M. Smith","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.11.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.11.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Raman spectroscopy has gained prominence in biological and medical applications due to its ability to detect biomolecules in a non-destructive and real-time manner. This is particularly valuable for space missions, where in situ biomarker analysis is crucial for monitoring astronaut health on missions where timely sample return is not possible. The challenges associated with detecting low-abundance biomarkers in a complex biological matrix, such as blood, can be addressed through surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This study represents a ground-based preliminary investigation into the use of SERS in combination with portable Raman spectroscopy for in situ blood biomarker detection. We aimed to assess whether signal enhancement could be achieved using the Agilent Vaya™ Raman spectrometer with AuNPs, under minimal sample processing conditions. The handheld portable device reliably captured albumin-dominated Raman spectra from both serum and plasma. When combined with AuNPs, SERS amplification revealed additional weak spectral bands, presumably from low-abundance biomolecules otherwise masked by dominant protein signals, resulting in an average signal increase of 67 %. These findings demonstrate that portable SERS-based Raman spectroscopy can uncover subtle biochemical information from complex, unfiltered samples, supporting its utility for future real-time biomarker monitoring in resource-limited environments such as spaceflight.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"48 ","pages":"Pages 216-224"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dynamic changes in ocular and retinal function across acute hypobaric hypoxia","authors":"Xinli Yu ,&nbsp;Jiaxi Li ,&nbsp;Yuchen Wang ,&nbsp;Jun Zhou ,&nbsp;Xuemin Li ,&nbsp;Li Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.11.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.11.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Visual impairment and intracranial pressure (VIIP) syndrome has been recognized as a major health risk during long-duration spaceflight, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Terrestrial high-altitude hypoxia provides a relevant analog to investigate these processes. In this study, 39 healthy participants were evaluated at baseline (sea level) and during acute exposure to 3500 m, 4000 m, and 4500 m. Measurements included refraction [sphere (SPH), cylinder (CYL)], intraocular pressure (IOP), and electroretinography (ERG). The results demonstrated subtle, non-significant fluctuations in refraction and IOP across different altitudes. ERG responses showed a reduction in amplitude and an increase in latency, especially a significant reduction in the amplitude of the flicker b-wave, suggesting that the inner retinal layer is extremely sensitive to hypoxia. Regression analyses identified a significant negative association between IOP and flicker B-wave amplitude (β = −0.307, <em>p</em> = 0.031), whereas no significant associations were found between refractive status and ERG parameters. These findings suggest that acute hypoxic exposure affects retinal function while subtly altering ocular optics, reflecting aspects of the VIIP syndrome and acute mountain sickness (AMS). Therefore, our findings provide a rationale for future validation of noninvasive ocular measurements, including refraction and ERG, as candidate biomarkers for hypoxia-related visual and neurological risk in both high-altitude and spaceflight environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"48 ","pages":"Pages 188-195"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Insights into the effect of microgravity on phytopathogens and plant-associated microbes","authors":"Aditya Abhijeet Guha ,&nbsp;S. Harish ,&nbsp;V. Sendhilvel ,&nbsp;S. Ramasubramoniam ,&nbsp;M. Siva","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.08.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.08.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the evolving circumstances on Earth and the burgeoning scientific interest in space, space exploration is experiencing significant growth. As human presence in space increases, the necessity for cultivating fresh food becomes a critical consideration for astronauts' health and psychological well-being. Consequently, 'space farming' emerges as a vital area of research for the future. However, the conditions in space differ markedly from those on Earth, exposing plants and humans to various abiotic stressors, one of which is microgravity. Microgravity refers to the diminished gravitational force experienced by objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This microgravity stress adversely impacts plant physiology, compromising their immune systems to varying degrees. Despite rigorous sanitation protocols, microbial contamination has been documented aboard the International Space Station (ISS), with some of these microbes identified as plant pathogens, exemplified by the infection of <em>Zinnia hybrida</em> by <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em>. Prior research indicates that the pathogenicity of these plant pathogens is exacerbated under microgravity conditions. Furthermore, microbes may undergo previously unobserved morphological changes, such as the formation of microcolonies in <em>Ulocladium chartarum</em>. Exposure to microgravity also facilitates alterations in the endophytic communities within crops and expands the potential for cross-kingdom interactions, including the stomatal entry of the human pathogen <em>Salmonella</em> species. This review discusses the implications of microgravity on plants, plant pathogens/plant growth-promoting microbes, their interactions with one another and the need for understanding these interactions for future space missions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"48 ","pages":"Pages 2-16"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From Antarctic regolith to lunar greenhouses: Mechanistic insights into Brassica rapa photosystem II dynamics for sustainable space agriculture","authors":"Syed Inzimam Ul Haq,&nbsp;Josef Hájek,&nbsp;Miloš Barták","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.09.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.09.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sustainable agriculture systems utilizing <em>in-situ</em> resources are crucial for future human missions to the Moon and Mars. Antarctic regolith, a terrestrial analog of lunar soil, offers an opportunity to understand how plants respond physiologically to nutrient-poor extraterrestrial substrates. This study assessed biomass production and photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry in <em>Brassica rapa</em> grown in Antarctic regolith under nutrient-enriched (Hoagland solution) and nutrient-deficient (double-distilled water) conditions, using vermiculated soil as a control and soil amendment. Biomass accumulation significantly improved with nutrient supplementation. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, including Fv/Fm, Φ_PSII, qP, NPQ, and RFD, indicated severe inhibition of PSII processes and activation of photoprotective responses in the plants grown in untreated regolith. Normalized fast chlorophyll fluorescence transients (OJIPs) revealed slowed electron transport kinetics and reduced PSII efficiency in nutrient-deficient regolith-grown plants, while differential <span>l</span>- and K-band analyses indicated weakened PSII connectivity and partial inactivation of the oxygen-evolving complex specifically under nutrient deprivation conditions. OJIP-derived parameters (PI_ABS, ABS/RC, TRo/RC, ETo/RC, DIo/RC) quantitatively confirmed these functional disruptions in PSII, with nutrient supplementation reversing impairments and optimizing energy fluxes. Our results suggest Antarctic regolith can serve as a functional lunar simulant in the preflight, on-Earth experiments. Nutrient and substrate optimization can effectively maintain PSII performance high, offering a foundation for future extraterrestrial plant-based life support systems with optimized photosynthesis and biomass production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"48 ","pages":"Pages 111-122"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}