Students will be able to outline the major ideas and principles of space life sciences areas of astrobiology, humans in space, model organisms for space research, exo-microbiology and astrobotany. The module will enable students to describe the challenges facing humans, animal, microbial and plant life in space, and recognise both the remarkable adaptability and fragility of life. Students will discuss how adaptation to extreme environments on Earth might be harnessed to enable long-duration spaceflight and habitation off-Earth.

Specific learning outcomes are provided in indicative module content. Practical skills will include experimental design approaches using data within NASA’s GeneLab and data interrogation strategies using environmental metagenomic data from the ISS.

Comprehension and skills developed throughout the module should complement Stage 1 core courses such as Principles of Cell & Molecular Biology, Fundamentals of Biology, Cell Biology & Genetics, Biology in Action and Life on Earth, and help equip students for Stage 2 core courses including but not limited to Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Principles of Environmental Biology and Principles of Plant Biology.

L1. Introduction, space science at UCD, learning outcomes and assessment

Astrobiology
L2. Origins and requirements for life
L3. Signs of life and the limitations of habitability
L4. Space exploration roadmap and biological challenges
Learning outcomes: Discuss how the terrestrial environment and chemistry spawns life; Identify some biological requirements for life; Express that auto-replicating systems can evolve by natural section; Detect life: extinct life, extant life, and biosignatures; Report update to current space programs and Artemis; Recognise the major biological stressors of spaceflight.

Humans in space
L5. Humans in space – Physiology of microgravity
L6. Humans in space – DNA and Radiation
L7. Humans in space – Metabolism in space
L8. Humans in space – Experimental research on Earth and in space
Learning outcomes: Outline musculoskeletal adaptation mechanisms to microgravity, describe short-term and long-term health impacts; Explain mutation mechanisms and proofreading adaptations as well as limitations associated to radiation in space; Recognise the major metabolic processes of the liver and basics of glucose homeostasis , and their change during spaceflight; Summarise the current frontiers of human research in the space sciences, explain some priorities and accessibility of discovery in the sector; Describe examples of space research relevancy to Earth.

Model organisms for space research
L9. Model organisms for space research – Introduction to multiomics
L10. Model organisms for space research – Mammalian adaptation and dysfunction
L11. Model organisms for space research – Experimental design and open science
11.1 Practical – Novel experimentation in GeneLab
L12. Model organisms for space research – Quail, bees and beyond
L13. Model organisms for space research – Microbial responses
Learning outcomes: Compare the strengths and weaknesses of major contemporary omic approaches: transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics; Examine human phenomena using model organisms; Demonstrate evidence of biological stressors in space using model organisms; Outline the scientific method and apply critical-thinking and rigour to experimental design. Design and implement original experiments in space; Practice transparent, collaborative, and accessibility scientific research.

Exo-microbiology
L14. Exo-microbiology in space – Introduction to metagenomics
L15. Exo-microbiology in space – Microbiome of the build environment and spacecraft
15.1 Practical – Exploring the ISS interior microbiome
L16. Exo-microbiology in space - Microbiology of the extreme environments
L17. Exo-microbiology in space – Harnessing microbe function and In situ resource utilisation
Learning outcomes: Outline and compare the strengths and weaknesses of major contemporary metagenomics approaches: amplicon barcoding and whole genome sequencing; Explain some major environment microbiomes and their functions; Analyse microbiome data and generate original discoveries in space; Classify processes of bioproduction and microbial resource recycling; Evaluate in situ resource utilisation feasibility off-Earth.

Astrobotany
L18. Astrobotany – Plant research on the ISS
L19. Astrobotany – Introduction to phytoremediation
L20. Astrobotany – Plants on the Moon and Mars
Learning outcomes: Summarise the current state-of-the-art and frontiers of astrobotany; Distinguish major phytoremediation mechanisms; Explain why plants remediate soils; Contrast Earth, Lunar and Martian plant growth environments; Defend how complex biological systems on earth might be harnessed to enable space travel.

Module recap
L21. Space life sciences themes

Elective course only, cannot be used for 50 credit Stage 1 Science/Agriculture requirements.

Appropriate for undergraduates in all disciplines.

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

For laboratory reports, written feedback will be provided for each lab report. This will comprise annotated feedback throughout the lab report as well as a summary feedback at the end of the report.