In this lecture, Dr Petra Rettberg of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne, describes the latest laboratory data on these tough but difficult to grow microorganisms.<br /><br />Extreme environments are characterized by physical and chemical parameters which were considered lying outside the range which is suitable for life. In recent years, the notion of what constitutes life-limiting conditions in an environment has undergone dramatic changes: microorganisms and occasionally higher organisms were discovered, which not only tolerate, but thrive under ranges of temperatures, pH values, pressures, salinity, ionizing radiation etc.
