biostudies-literatureUnknown6(1)Dos Santos AIron-rich minerals, such as hematite (α-Fe₂O₃), are prominent constituents of the Martian surface; they are considered to be potential indicators of past aqueous activity and habitability. This study investigated the interaction between the extremophilic black fungus <i>Rhinocladiella similis</i> LaBioMMi 1217 and hematite under simulated laboratory conditions on Mars, focusing on redox-mediated dissolution processes, metabolic adaptations, and biosignature formation. The fungus was cultivated with powdered and polished hematite substrates, and mineral alteration was monitored through physicochemical measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Genome mining was performed to identify and map genes involved in iron metabolism. The metabolic profile of the funguJACS Au446-459https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12848704biostudies-literatureFungal-Mineral Interaction: Astrobiology Insights from Iron-Rich Mineral Alteration by an Extremophile Black Fungus.PMC12848704Schultz JRosado ASKonhauser KP M da Silva Alves MAMolodon FRodrigues-Filho EYesilbas MDos Santos AfalseFungal-Mineral Interaction: Astrobiology Insights from Iron-Rich Mineral Alteration by an Extremophile Black Fungus.Iron-rich minerals, such as hematite (α-Fe₂O₃), are prominent constituents of the Martian surface; they are considered to be potential indicators of past aqueous activity and habitability. This study investigated the interaction between the extremophilic black fungus <i>Rhinocladiella similis</i> LaBioMMi 1217 and hematite under simulated laboratory conditions on Mars, focusing on redox-mediated dissolution processes, metabolic adaptations, and biosignature formation. The fungus was cultivated with powdered and polished hematite substrates, and mineral alteration was monitored through physicochemical measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Genome mining was performed to identify and map genes involved in iron metabolism. The metabolic profile of the fungu2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Jan2026-06-14T06:11:46.695Z2026-06-14T03:15:34.862ZS-EPMC128487044161416310.1021/jacsau.5c01365