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

• DOI: 10.1017/s1473550421000240
• Publication Date: 2021-10-19T02:08:08Z
• Authors: Claudia Pacelli; Alessia Cassaro; Mickael Baqué; Laura Selbmann; Laura Zucconi; Alessandro Maturilli; Lorenzo Botta; Raffaele Saladino; Ute Böttger; René Demets; Elke Rabbow; Jean-Pierre P. de...; Silvano Onofri
• Keywords: spectroscopy; 0303 health sciences; Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous); pigments; Mars; exploration missions; Horizon 2020 Framework Programme; 03 medical and health sciences; life detection; Space and Planetary Science; 13. Climate action; Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous); Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Biomarkers

AbstractMars 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.