ANTARCTIMARS: Exploring responses of Antarctic bacteria in Mars simulated environment

Mars is currently considered as one of the major targets in the search for life beyond the Earth due to its similarities with early Earth and evidence suggesting past habitability [1,2]. Considering the economical and technological constraints of space missions, biological Earth-based studies in extreme environments provide valuable insights into the potential for life beyond our planet [3]. Antarctica, with extreme cold, dryness, and high UV radiation exposure, serves as a good terrestrial analog to Martian conditions [4]. In particular, Parageobacillus thermantarcticus M1 (T), a thermophilic bacterium isolated from Mount Melbourne, Antarctica, can be considered a strong candidate for examining microbial survival due to its adaptability and ability of forming spores [5-7]. This project aims to evaluate the response of P. thermantarcticus M1 (T) and other isolated Antarctic bacteria to Mars physico-chemical conditions in a planetary simulation facility (Fig.1) replicating low atmospheric pressure, UV exposition, subzero temperatures, and a CO₂ - dominated atmosphere. In addition to simulation experiments, transcriptomic data will be analyzed to identify gene expression variations associated with stress tolerance, metabolic adaptation, and survival strategies. The versatility and stress response of these extremophiles could suggest possible biotechnological applications such as biomining, bioremediation and enzyme production for space exploration. Our findings may contribute to demonstrate the potential of Antarctic extremophiles as models for studying life in extraterrestrial settings and as sources of novel biotechnological tools for future space missions.