The project investigates microbial Mars-relevant biosignatures based on Martian genuine meteorites, their preservation and life survival under Mars-like conditions. In line with the objectives of Research Topic 1, we have been performing the characterisation of microbial physiology and mineral-microbial interfaces of chemolithoautotrophs grown on Mars relevant materials. Microbial interactions with Mars relevant minerals are investigated with spectroscopy techniques and their microbial-mineral interfaces have been prepared for subsequent nano-analysis via transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron based techniques to achieve the objectives of Research Topic 2. In frames of the objectives of Research Topic 3, we have developed an improved protocol for metabolite extraction and identification of respiratory quinones in extremophilic Archaea grown on mineral materials. Owing to their durability and stability over geological timescales, these thiophene-bearing quinones have been proposed as biomarkers for astrobiological life detection in extreme environmental conditions on Earth and Mars. Microbial life survival and microbial fingerprints under Mars-like conditions have also been investigated in the project (Research Topic 4). The existence and molecular traces of thermophiles in cold Mars-relevant environments have recently been reviewed in our team in terms of astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life (Milojevic et al., 2022). In this paper we highlighted potential of chemolithotrophic thermophilic life and its preservation in cold Mars environment. This work has expanded our understanding of how and through what molecular and physiological mechanisms, rock-processing thermophiles can survive in Mars psychrobiotic environments, which is essential in aiding the search for past, or extant life, on other planets, such as Mars. Most importantly, we have already exposed the microbial-martian meteorite samples to Mars-like conditions outside the ISS. The work on the preservation of Mars-relevant biosignatures in these ISS returned samples is currently in progress in our team (Research Topic 4). Furthermore, microbial-mineral interfaces naturally occurring in Martian analogue sites, have been currently investigated within the project (Research Topic 5). This approach will help reveal novel microbial species that live on the account of Mars analogues minerals at the edge of living limits and detect the preserved organic material and biomineral assemblages associated with Mars analogue environments that could serve as potential biosignatures. Project’s results obtained within the first reporting period have been intensively presented at several European and worldwide conferences as talks and posters. The work performed within BIOMAMA project has been accumulated and presented in several manuscripts which are currently at different stages of the peer review process (published, in review, revision and under the submission).
