TY - JOUR A1 - Jung, Patrick A1 - Lakatos, Michael A1 - Harion, Felix A1 - Wu, Shujie A1 - Nürnberg, Dennis J. A1 - Bellamoli, Francesco A1 - Antonio, Guillen A1 - Leira, Manuel T1 - Dark blue-green: Cave-inhabiting cyanobacteria as a model for astrobiology N2 - Subterranean environments on Earth serve as an analog for the study of microbes on other planets, which has become an active area of research. Although it might sound contradictory that photosynthetic cyanobacteria thrive in extreme low light environments, they are frequent inhabitants of caves on Earth. Throughout the phylum these cyanobacteria have developed unique adaptations that cannot only be used for biotechnological processes but also have implications for astrobiology. They can, for example, both accommodate for the low light conditions by producing specific pigments that allow photosynthesis in near-infrared (IR) radiation/far-red light, and they can synthesize bioplastic compounds and calcium carbonate sheaths which represent valuable resources during human colonization of other planets or rock bodies. This article will highlight the potential benefits of cave-inhabiting cyanobacteria and will present a suitable bioreactor technique for the utilization of these special microbes during future space missions. Y1 - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2023.1107371 VL - 2023 PB - Frontiers CY - Lausanne ER -