Daniela Billi showed that desert cyanobacteria from the genus Chroococcidiopsis are highly resistant to extreme environmental conditions including
desiccation,[2] ionizing radiation,[3]UV radiation,[4] and various factors encountered in extraterrestrial environments (see for example [5]).
Due to insights given by her and her colleagues' work, Chroococcidiopsis is considered as a model genus when studying the current or past habitability of
Mars (see for example [6]).
She and her colleagues also suggested that Chrooccoccidiopsis could be used in
crewed missions on Mars for the production of resources for
astronauts.[7] To move in this direction, she developed genetic engineering tools for those cyanobacteria.[8]
She is maintaining the Culture Collection of Organisms from Extreme Environments (CCMEE) established by
Imre Friedmann.[9]
Involvement in space missions
Billi is involved in the
EXPOSE-R2 mission, an astrobiogy experiment currently exposed outside of the
International Space Station. She is responsible for experiments involving Chroococcidiopsis as part of the two major EPOSE-R2 subprojects: Biology and Mars Experiment (BIOMEX), and Biofilm Organisms Surfing Space (BOSS).[10][11]
^Billi, Daniela (2010). "Genetic tools for desiccation- and radiation-tolerant cyanobacteria of the genus Chroococcidiopsis". Current Research, Technology and Education Topics in Applied Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology: 1517–1521.