Researchers found that yeast cells can survive intense shock waves and toxic chemicals similar to those on Mars. The cells protect themselves by forming special stress-response structures that help them endure extreme conditions.
This tiny organism refused to die under Mars-like conditions | ScienceDailyhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233821.htmResearchers from the Department of Biochemistry (BC) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), working with collaborators at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, have discovered that yeast can survive environmental stresses similar to those on Mars. Their findings suggest that even simple life forms may be more resilient to extraterrestrial conditions than previously assumed.
Simulating Mars With Shock Waves and Toxic Soil
To test yeast survival, the research team subjected living cells to intense physical and chemical stress. The experiments included exposure to powerful shock waves comparable to those created by meteorite impacts on Mars, as well as perchlorate salts, which are toxic compounds known to exist in Martian soil.
The shock waves were generated using a High-Intensity Shock Tube for Astrochemistry (HISTA) located in Bhalamurugan Sivaraman's laboratory at PRL. These waves reached speeds of up to Mach 5.6. In addition, yeast cells were treated with 100 mM sodium perchlorate, either on its own or combined with shock wave exposure