# Meeting 7.15.26; What Lives in Regolith Simulants? Historical Context and Implications for Astrobiology and Space Biology **URL:** \ **Category:** Regolith AWG Topics\ **Created:** [July 12, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://awg.osdr.space/t/meeting-7-15-26-what-lives-in-regolith-simulants-historical-context-and-implications-for-astrobiology-and-space-biology/4317 "2026-07-12T22:20:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![borjabarbero](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/awg.osdr.space/borjabarbero/32/427_2.png) [@borjabarbero](https://awg.osdr.space/u/borjabarbero)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://awg.osdr.space/t/meeting-7-15-26-what-lives-in-regolith-simulants-historical-context-and-implications-for-astrobiology-and-space-biology/4317/1 "2026-07-12T22:20:49Z")
Howdy everyone, Please join us for the next NASA OSDR Regolith Analysis Working Group meeting on Wednesday, July 15, from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. CT / 9:00–10:00 a.m. PT / 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET. Our featured speaker will be Dr. Laura Fackrell Title: What Lives in Regolith Simulants? Historical Context and Implications for Astrobiology and Space Biology Regolith simulants have evolved from early terrestrial analog materials used to interpret Apollo samples and test surface systems into increasingly specialized tools for lunar, Martian, and asteroid research. As their use expands into agriculture, life-support, and biological in-situ resource utilization, it is important to recognize that simulants are not biologically neutral: endogenous microbes introduced through source materials, processing, storage, and handling may alter experimental outcomes, while sterilization can be incomplete, impractical at scale, or change relevant physical and chemical properties. This talk reviews the history and changing purposes of regolith simulants and presents initial efforts using cultivation, DNA extraction, nanopore sequencing, and sterilization experiments to characterize their microbial communities and develop more reliable practices for biological research. Join the meeting here: > **[Join meeting on Teams](https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fmeet%2F277657304198891%3Fp%3DBp45YMeHkgwHJCqKDe%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meet&deeplinkId=b4dc15bf-6e6f-4dea-b643-47e8c7e10b38&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true)** We are also collecting ideas for future Regolith AWG projects and research directions. Please share the projects you would like to see the group pursue: > **[NASA regolith projects](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcEuPoXf5EKA3GPgoqSteWrdaSxdrd0v5SxKHIMoaHz3GXaQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105940299766541106988)** > > Propose a project that you would like to see develop on the group Those interested in presenting at a future meeting can sign up here: > **[NASA Regolith AWG (talk sign up sheet)](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gLFeVmgcR6P_28ch3DB9v-dN7w1a61jGMEXtAPXZR_Q/viewform?pli=1&edit_requested=true)** > > Sign up to give a talk regarding any regolith work We hope to see you there. [@PlantAWG](https://awg.osdr.space/groups/plantawg) [@MicrobesAWG](https://awg.osdr.space/groups/microbesawg) [@HUMANawg](https://awg.osdr.space/groups/humanawg) [@AnimalAWG](https://awg.osdr.space/groups/animalawg) [@RegolithAWG](https://awg.osdr.space/groups/regolithawg) ---
**Author:** ![borjabarbero](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/awg.osdr.space/borjabarbero/32/427_2.png) [@borjabarbero](https://awg.osdr.space/u/borjabarbero)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2026, 3:41pm UTC](https://awg.osdr.space/t/meeting-7-15-26-what-lives-in-regolith-simulants-historical-context-and-implications-for-astrobiology-and-space-biology/4317/2 "2026-07-15T15:41:56Z")
Hello everyone, We have an issue with the previous teams invite. Please use this one instead for today 7.15.27. [Join conversation](https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/258879631931809?p=32PYpU1fPbecbfSBoA) Meeting ID: 258 879 631 931 809 Passcode: BR9iY2ZH Meeting starts in around 10 minutes. Borja [@PlantAWG](https://awg.osdr.space/groups/plantawg) [@AnimalAWG](https://awg.osdr.space/groups/animalawg) [@MicrobesAWG](https://awg.osdr.space/groups/microbesawg) ---
**Author:** ![wyatts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@wyatts](https://awg.osdr.space/u/wyatts)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 3:24pm UTC](https://awg.osdr.space/t/meeting-7-15-26-what-lives-in-regolith-simulants-historical-context-and-implications-for-astrobiology-and-space-biology/4317/3 "2026-07-21T15:24:36Z")
Borja. I can’t join today. I’m in Canada at Plant Biology. Sarah ---
**Author:** ![rtscott2001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/awg.osdr.space/rtscott2001/32/5_2.png) [@rtscott2001](https://awg.osdr.space/u/rtscott2001)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://awg.osdr.space/t/meeting-7-15-26-what-lives-in-regolith-simulants-historical-context-and-implications-for-astrobiology-and-space-biology/4317/4 "2026-07-21T15:26:34Z")
Hi Sarah @wyatts, The meeting was last week, but here is the link to the meeting’s Recap and Recording: [https://awg.osdr.space/t/regolith-awg-july-recap-mtg-recording-laura-fackrell-on-simulant-selection-and-sterilization-osd-476-plantthemoon-curation/4325](https://awg.osdr.space/t/regolith-awg-july-recap-mtg-recording-laura-fackrell-on-simulant-selection-and-sterilization-osd-476-plantthemoon-curation/4325) Cheers and safe travels, -Ryan