Fungal biomarkers are detectable in Martian rock-analogues after space exposure: implications for the search of life on Mars
Received: 04 May 2021, Revised: 07 May 2021, Accepted: 24 Nov 2021, Available online: 22 Dec 2021, Version of Record: 22 Dec 2021
Claudia Pacelli
Affiliation:
Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, ItalyItalian Space Agency, Scientific Research Unit, Via del Politecnico snc, 00133 Rome, Italy
Alessia Cassaro*
Affiliation:
Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Mickael Baqué
Affiliation:
Planetary Laboratories Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Ruthefordstraße 2, Berlin, Germany
Laura Selbmann
Affiliation:
Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, ItalyItalian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), Mycological Section, 16128 Genoa, Italy
Laura Zucconi
Affiliation:
Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Alessandro Maturilli
Affiliation:
Planetary Laboratories Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Ruthefordstraße 2, Berlin, Germany
Lorenzo Botta
Affiliation:
Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Raffaele Saladino
Affiliation:
Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Ute Böttger
Affiliation:
Department Terahertz and Laser Spectroscopy, German Aerospace Center (DLR) Berlin, Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
René Demets
Affiliation:
European Space Agency, ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, 2201AZ Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Elke Rabbow
Affiliation:
German Aerospace Center (DLR) Cologne, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology, Linder Höhe, 51147 Cologne, Germany
Jean-Pierre P. de Vera
Affiliation:
MUSC, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Space Operations and Astronaut Training, Linder Höhe, Cologne-Porz, Germany
Silvano Onofri
Affiliation:
Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
*
Author for correspondence: Alessia Cassaro, E-mail: cassaro@unitus.it
________________________________________
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.
Keywords: Biomarker,sexploration, missionslife, detection, Marspig,ments,spectroscopy
Conflict of interest
“Authors state no conflict of interest”
Funding Information
This research received no external funding or grants
Peer review:
Peer review under responsibility of Defence Science Journal
Download
