Highlights
- Proposal suggests using moon’s cold craters for long-term cryopreservation of biological materials.
- Lunar storage aims to enhance resilience against Earth-based threats to biodiversity.
- Initial tests include radiation exposure for safe lunar transport of specimens.
In a groundbreaking proposal published in BioScience, researchers from the University of Minnesota and the Smithsonian Institution have unveiled a plan for establishing a lunar biorepository designed to protect Earth’s endangered species. This innovative project aims to utilize the moon’s naturally cold, permanently shadowed craters for the long-term cryopreservation of biological specimens.
The researchers are inspired by the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which safeguards crop diversity on Earth. However, unlike seeds, animal cells require even lower temperatures for preservation. According to John Bischof from the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering, the moon’s naturally frigid environment could provide a stable and autonomous storage solution, eliminating the need for external power or refrigeration systems.
Susan Wolf, a professor at the U of M Law School and Medical School, played a crucial role in integrating ethical and governance considerations into the project. She emphasized the importance of establishing a public entity with robust oversight to ensure the biorepository’s success. The team advocates for a cooperative governance model similar to that used for the Svalbard facility, involving public and private stakeholders.
The initial phase of the project includes cryopreserving skin samples from a reef fish, the starry goby, which will serve as the first specimens for the lunar repository. Future steps involve conducting radiation tests to develop suitable packaging for lunar transport. The biorepository aims to act as a safeguard against natural disasters and support future space exploration endeavors, underscoring the value of preserving Earth’s biodiversity for both current and future generations.
This ambitious project is supported by funding from the National Science Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Institutes of Health, and various private donors.
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