Indian Researchers Discover Yeast Can Withstand Mars-Like Environments
- MM24 News Desk
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Researchers at IISc and PRL simulate Martian conditions to test how baker’s yeast withstands shock waves and toxic salts found on Mars.
Baker’s yeast best known for its role in baking, brewing, and biotechnology—may also hold secrets about the endurance of life beyond Earth. In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the Department of Biochemistry (BC) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, have discovered that this humble microorganism can withstand conditions resembling those on Mars.
Surviving the Martian Challenge
The team subjected yeast cells to extreme shock waves—mimicking those caused by meteorite impacts on the Martian surface—and to perchlorate salts, toxic compounds found in Martian soil. These experiments were conducted using the High-Intensity Shock Tube for Astrochemistry (HISTA) in Bhalamurugan Sivaraman’s lab at PRL, which can generate shock waves up to Mach 5.6. Yeast cells were treated with 100 mM sodium perchlorate, both independently and in combination with the shock waves.
“One of the greatest challenges was configuring the HISTA tube to expose live yeast cells to shock waves—a first-of-its-kind attempt—and then recovering viable cells with minimal contamination for further analysis,” explains Riya Dhage, lead author and project assistant in Purusharth I Rajyaguru’s lab, Associate Professor at IISc’s Department of Biochemistry.
The Secret of Yeast Resilience
Astonishingly, the yeast cells survived both stressors—shock waves and perchlorate exposure—whether applied separately or together. Although their growth rate slowed, the cells endured the harsh environment thanks to their ability to form ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates: tiny, membrane-less compartments that safeguard and reorganize mRNA during stress.
The researchers found that shock waves triggered the formation of two types of RNPs—stress granules and P-bodies—while perchlorate exposure alone induced only P-bodies. Yeast mutants unable to form these structures showed drastically reduced survival, highlighting the protective role of RNP condensates.
These findings suggest that RNP condensates could serve as biomarkers of cellular stress in extraterrestrial environments.
Bridging Biology and Astrophysics
“What makes this work truly unique,” notes Dhage, “is the fusion of shock wave physics, chemical biology, and molecular cell biology to understand how life might adapt to Mars-like stressors.”
The study underscores the potential of baker’s yeast as a model organism for astrobiology research in India. By revealing how cells reorganize their RNA and proteins under combined mechanical and chemical stress, the research provides vital insights into the survival of life forms in extreme extraterrestrial environments.
“We were astonished to see yeast endure the Mars-like stress conditions in our experiments,” says Purusharth I Rajyaguru, corresponding author of the study. “This discovery opens up exciting possibilities for including yeast in future space missions.”
Beyond deepening our understanding of life’s resilience, these results could guide the design of stress-resistant biological systems—a crucial step toward sustainable life-support strategies in space exploration.
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