Proyecto de Investigación: icyMARS 307496
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307496
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Constraining the preservation of organic compounds in Mars analog nontronites after exposure to acid and alkaline fluids.
(Nature Research Journals, 2020-09-15) Gil Lozano, C.; Fairén, Alberto G.; Muñoz Iglesias, V.; Fernández Sampedro, M.; Prieto Ballesteros, O.; Gago Duport, L.; Losa Adams, E.; Carrizo, D.; Bishop, J. L.; Fornaro, T.; Mateo Martí, Eva; European Research Council (ERC); Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI); European Commission (EC); 0000-0002-5536-2565; 0000-0003-1932-7591; 0000-0002-1159-9093; 0000-0003-3500-2850; 0000-0002-2278-1210; 0000-0002-2646-5995; Unidad de Excelencia Científica María de Maeztu Centro de Astrobiología del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial y CSIC, MDM-2017-0737
The presence of organic matter in lacustrine mudstone sediments at Gale crater was revealed by the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover, which also identified smectite clay minerals. Analogue experiments on phyllosilicates formed under low temperature aqueous conditons have illustrated that these are excellent reservoirs to host organic compounds against the harsh surface conditions of Mars. Here, we evaluate whether the capacity of smectites to preserve organic compounds can be influenced by a short exposure to different diagenetic fluids. We analyzed the stability of glycine embedded within nontronite samples previously exposed to either acidic or alkaline fluids (hereafter referred to as "treated nontronites") under Mars-like surface conditions. Analyses performed using multiple techniques showed higher photodegradation of glycine in the acid-treated nontronite, triggered by decarboxylation and deamination processes. In constrast, our experiments showed that glycine molecules were preferably incorporated by ion exchange in the interlayer region of the alkali-treated nontronite, conferring them a better protection against the external conditions. Our results demonstrate that smectite previously exposed to fluids with different pH values influences how glycine is adsorbed into their interlayer regions, affecting their potential for preservation of organic compounds under contemporary Mars surface conditions.
Metabolomics as an Emerging Tool in the Search for Astrobiologically Relevant Biomarkers
(Mary Ann Liebert Publishers, 2020-10-09) Seyler, L.; Kujawinski, E. B.; Azua Bustos, A.; Lee, M. D.; Marlow, J.; Perl, S. C.; Claves, H. J.; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (KAKENHI); European Commission (EC); European Research Council (ERC); Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP); Unidad de Excelencia Científica María de Maeztu Centro de Astrobiología del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial y CSIC, MDM-2017-0737
It is now routinely possible to sequence and recover microbial genomes from environmental samples. To the degree it is feasible to assign transcriptional and translational functions to these genomes, it should be possible, in principle, to largely understand the complete molecular inputs and outputs of a microbial community. However, gene-based tools alone are presently insufficient to describe the full suite of chemical reactions and small molecules that compose a living cell. Metabolomic tools have developed quickly and now enable rapid detection and identification of small molecules within biological and environmental samples. The convergence of these technologies will soon facilitate the detection of novel enzymatic activities, novel organisms, and potentially extraterrestrial life-forms on solar system bodies. This review explores the methodological problems and scientific opportunities facing researchers who hope to apply metabolomic methods in astrobiology-related fields, and how present challenges might be overcome.
Can Halophilic and Psychrophilic Microorganisms Modify the Freezing/Melting Curve of Cold Salty Solutions? Implications for Mars Habitability
(Mary Ann Liebert Publishers, 2020-09-15) García Descalzo, L.; Gil Lozano, C.; Muñoz Iglesias, V.; Prieto Ballesteros, O.; Azua Bustos, A.; Fairén, Alberto G.; European Research Council (ERC); Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO); European Commission (EC); Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI); García Descalzo, L. [0000-0002-0083-6786]; Gil Lozano, C. [0000-0003-3500-2850]; Muñoz Iglesias, V. [0000-0002-1159-9093]; Prieto Ballesteros, O. [0000-0002-2278-1210]; Azua Bustos, A. [0000-0002-2278-1210]; Fairén, A. G. [0000-0002-2938-6010]; Unidad de Excelencia Científica María de Maeztu Centro de Astrobiología del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial y CSIC, MDM-2017-0737
We present the hypothesis that microorganisms can change the freezing/melting curve of cold salty solutions by protein expression, as it is known that proteins can affect the liquid-to-ice transition, an ability that could be of ecological advantage for organisms on Earth and on Mars. We tested our hypothesis by identifying a suitable candidate, the well-known psycrophile and halotolerant bacteriaRhodococcussp. JG3, and analyzing its response in culture conditions that included specific hygroscopic salts relevant to Mars-that is, highly concentrated magnesium perchlorate solutions of 20 wt % and 50 wt % Mg(ClO4)(2)at both end members of the eutectic concentration (44 wt %)-and subfreezing temperatures (263 K and 253 K). Using a combination of techniques of molecular microbiology and aqueous geochemistry, we evaluated the potential roles of proteins over- or underexpressed as important players in different mechanisms for the adaptability of life to cold environments. We recorded the changes observed by micro-differential scanning calorimetry. Unfortunately,Rhodococcussp. JG3 did not show our hypothesized effect on the melting characteristics of cold Mg-perchlorate solutions. However, the question remains as to whether our novel hypothesis that halophilic/psychrophilic bacteria or archaea can alter the freezing/melting curve of salt solutions could be validated. The null result obtained after analyzing just one case lays the foundation to continue the search for proteins produced by microorganisms that thrive in very cold, high-saline solutions, which would involve testing different microorganisms with different salt components. The immediate implications for the habitability of Mars are discussed.
