biostudies-literatureUnknown16Skubala KTo deepen our understanding of lichen adaptation and their potential to colonize extraterrestrial environments, we aimed to identify physiological/biochemical responses of selected lichen species in a metabolically active state to simulated Mars-like conditions in the dark including exposure to X-rays. Our study is the first to demonstrate that the metabolism of the fungal partner in lichen symbiosis was active while being in a Mars-like environment. <i>Diploschistesmuscorum</i> was able to activate defense mechanisms effectively. In contrast, increased oxidative stress and associated damage were not effectively balanced in <i>C.aculeata</i>, which does not support the melanin's radioprotective function in this species. The heavy crystalline deposit on <i>D.muscorum</i> thallus might offerIMA funguse145477https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11976309biostudies-literatureIonizing radiation resilience: how metabolically active lichens endure exposure to the simulated Mars atmosphere.PMC11976309Kowalinski MSkubala KMysliwa-Kurdziel BChowaniec KMrozek TBakala JLatkowska EfalseIonizing radiation resilience: how metabolically active lichens endure exposure to the simulated Mars atmosphere.To deepen our understanding of lichen adaptation and their potential to colonize extraterrestrial environments, we aimed to identify physiological/biochemical responses of selected lichen species in a metabolically active state to simulated Mars-like conditions in the dark including exposure to X-rays. Our study is the first to demonstrate that the metabolism of the fungal partner in lichen symbiosis was active while being in a Mars-like environment. <i>Diploschistesmuscorum</i> was able to activate defense mechanisms effectively. In contrast, increased oxidative stress and associated damage were not effectively balanced in <i>C.aculeata</i>, which does not support the melanin's radioprotective function in this species. The heavy crystalline deposit on <i>D.muscorum</i> thallus might offer2025-01-01T00:00:00Z20252025-07-05T03:04:32.271Z2025-07-05T03:04:32.271ZS-EPMC119763094020115510.3897/imafungus.16.145477