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

• Published in: International 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
• Language: English
• 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

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...