Scientists want to store animal cells on the moon.

Item request has been placed! ×
Item request cannot be made. ×
loading   Processing Request
  • Author(s): Tomma, Gennaro (AUTHOR)
  • Source:
    Science News. 9/7/2024, Vol. 206 Issue 4, p4-4. 3/4p. 1 Color Photograph.
  • Additional Information
    • Subject Terms:
    • Abstract:
      Scientists are considering the idea of building a biobank on the moon to store animal cells. This would provide a more stable environment for long-term storage compared to Earth, which is threatened by climate change and other disasters. The moon's permanently shadowed region at the south pole, which remains at extremely low temperatures, could be ideal for preserving animal cells. The cells could be used for cloning and regenerating populations of threatened or extinct species, as well as for building ecosystems in future human colonies on the moon or Mars. However, there are challenges to overcome, such as temperature fluctuations and protecting the cells from the harsh space environment. [Extracted from the article]
    • Abstract:
      Copyright of Science News is the property of Society for Science & the Public and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)