Mars-like conditions fail to kill some Earth pathogens, experiments suggest

Ph.D. candidate Tommaso Zaccaria concluded that microorganisms from Earth could survive on celestial bodies with water, such as Mars, based on experiments with simulated space conditions. His dissertation indicates that our immune system responds less effectively to pathogens that have experienced such simulated space journeys, offering extraterrestrial insights applicable on Earth.

Microorganisms from our planet could survive on celestial bodies where water is present, such as Mars. That is the conclusion of Ph.D. candidate Tommaso Zaccaria after experiments with simulated space conditions. Our immune system reacts less effectively to pathogens that have undergone such a simulated space journey. According to his supervisors, his dissertation provides extraterrestrial insights that are also useful on Earth.