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

作者：Claudia Pacelli, Alessia Cassaro, Mickaël Baqué, Laura Selbmann, Laura Zucconi, Alessandro Maturilli, Lorenzo Botta, Raffaele Saladino, Ute Böttger, René Demets, Elke Rabbow, Jean‐Pierre de Vera, Silvano Onofri · 发表于：International Journal of Astrobiology · 年份：2021 · DOI：10.1017/s1473550421000240 · 被引用次数：18 · 研究领域：Planetary Science and Exploration、Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology、Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology

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.