Abstract EANA2026-30

Understanding how life adapts to extreme extraterrestrial environments remains a central objective in astrobiology, particularly in the context of Mars exploration and the search for detectable biosignatures beyond Earth. In this study, we investigate the physiological, molecular, and ecological responses of extremophilic organisms obtained from terrestrial analog environments exposed to simulated planetary conditions representative of Mars [1] environments. A multidisciplinary experimental framework was developed in collaboration with international astrobiology and space research institutions (German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Centro de Astrobiología (CAB-INTA) [2, 3]), combining planetary simulation facilities with advanced molecular and analytical techniques. Samples were subjected to environmental stressors including enhanced ultraviolet irradiation, vacuum conditions, desiccation, and low-pressure CO₂-rich atmospheres reproducing relevant Martian parameters. The resulting biological responses were evaluated through transcriptomics, microbiome characterization, electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopic analyses. The data reveal extensive cellular adaptation processes associated with survival under extreme stress. Gene-expression analyses identified activation of molecular pathways related to genome maintenance, oxidative damage protection, and cellular repair mechanisms. At the community level, microbiome profiling demonstrated dynamic restructuring patterns that may contribute to collective resilience and long-term persistence under hostile conditions. Structural analyses further confirmed the conservation of morphological integrity and the persistence of detectable biochemical signatures after exposure experiments. Importantly, several molecular and spectroscopic indicators remained stable despite prolonged environmental stress, supporting their relevance as potential biosignatures for planetary exploration missions [4]. The combined results demonstrate that extremophilic communities from Mars analog environments constitute robust experimental models for studying habitability, survival strategies, and biomarker preservation in extraterrestrial settings. This work highlights the importance of integrating field analog research, planetary simulation platforms, and high-resolution molecular methodologies to improve our understanding of life at the edge of habitability. The approach presented here provides valuable insights for future astrobiological investigations and contributes to the optimization of life-detection technologies for upcoming exploration missions to Mars and other planetary bodies.

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[1] de la Torre Noetzel, M.R., Lopez-Ramirez, M.R., Bassy, O., M.V. Ortega-García, Sancho, L.G., Reipert, S., Martinez-Frias, J., Backé, M. (2023). Search of life on Mars: effects of Mars simulated environment on lichens of Mars analog areas. EANA Congress 2023 (29), Madrid, Spain.

[2] de Vera, J.-P., Schulze-Makuch, D., Khan, A., Lorek, A., Koncz, A., Möhlmann, D. and Spohn, T. (2014). Adaptation of an Antarctic lichen to Martian niche conditions can occur within 34 days. Planetary and Space Science 98, 182-190. 

[3] E. Mateo-Martí*, O. Prieto-Ballesteros, J. M. Sobrado, J. Gómez-Elvira and J. A. Martín-Gago (2006) A chamber for studying planetary environments and its applications to astrobiology. Measurement and Science Technology 17, 2274-2280.

[4] Baqué, M., Backhaus, T., Meeßen, J., and de Vera, J.P. (2022). Biosignature stability in space enables their use for life detection on Mars. Science Advances, 8 (36), eabn7412 (1-12). 10.1126/sciadv.abn7412.