Washington: A study led by an Indian-origin researcher from the
University of Maryland School of Medicine have found key
features in proteins needed for life to function on Mars and
other extreme environments. The researchers funded by NASA
studied organisms that survive in the extreme environment of
Antarctica. They found subtle but significant differences
between the core proteins in ordinary organisms and Haloarchaea,
organisms that can tolerate severe conditions such as high
salinity, desiccation, and extreme temperatures. The research
gives scientists a window into how life could possibly adapt to
exist on Mars. The study was led by Shiladitya DasSarma, Ph.D.,
Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at
the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a research
scientist at the Institute of Marine and Environmental
Technology. Researchers found that Haloarchaeal microbes contain
proteins that are acidic, with their surface covered with
negatively charged residues. Most ordinary organi