Fungal biomarkers are detectable in Martian rock-analogues after space exposure: implications for the search of life on Mars

Abstract Mars is a primary target of astrobiological interest: its past environmental conditions may have been favourable to the emergence of a prebiotic chemistry and, potentially, biological activity. In situ exploration is currently underway at the Mars surface, and the subsurface (2 m depth) wil...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational journal of astrobiology Vol. 20; no. 5; pp. 345 - 358
Main Authors Pacelli, Claudia, Cassaro, Alessia, Baqué, Mickael, Selbmann, Laura, Zucconi, Laura, Maturilli, Alessandro, Botta, Lorenzo, Saladino, Raffaele, Böttger, Ute, Demets, René, Rabbow, Elke, de Vera, Jean-Pierre P., Onofri, Silvano
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge Cambridge University Press 01.10.2021
Subjects
Astrobiology
Biological activity
Biology
Biomarkers
Earth orbit
Earth orbits
Environmental conditions
Exploration
Extraterrestrial life
Fungi
Gas chromatography
Igneous rocks
Life on Mars
Low earth orbits
Mars
Mars exploration
Mars missions
Mars surface
Mass spectrometry
Melanin
Nucleic acids
Nucleotide sequence
Polymerase chain reaction
Stability analysis
Ultraviolet radiation
Antarctica
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Abstract Mars is a primary target of astrobiological interest: its past environmental conditions may have been favourable to the emergence of a prebiotic chemistry and, potentially, biological activity. In situ exploration is currently underway at the Mars surface, and the subsurface (2 m depth) will be explored in the future ESA ExoMars mission. In this context, BIOlogy and Mars EXperiment was performed to evaluate the stability and detectability of organic biomarkers under space and Mars-like conditions. Our data suggested that some target molecules, namely melanin, azelaic acid and nucleic acids, can be detected even after 16 months exposure to Low Earth Orbit conditions by multidisciplinary approaches. We used the same techniques as onboard the ExoMars rover, as Raman and infrared spectroscopies and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer, and polymerase chain reaction even if this is not planned for the imminent mission to Mars. These results should be taken into account for future Mars exploration.
ISSN:1473-5504
1475-3006
DOI:10.1017/S1473550421000240