The Biophysical Effects of Mars Relevant Perchlorate Salts on Biological Macromolecules

火星目前是否存在生命，这个问题几十年来一直困扰着科学家。通过研究预测火星上存在的极端环境条件下生物大分子的生物物理学，我希望进一步了解火星的宜居性和生物化学的可能性。正在研究的第一个生物分子是模型酶α糜蛋白酶，以及它如何响应跨越压力和温度梯度的与火星相关的高氯酸盐的存在。进一步的工作还将研究脂膜对这些条件的生物物理反应。

The question as to whether Mars currently harbours life is one that has vexed scientists for decades. By examining the biophysics of biological macromolecules under the extreme environmental conditions that are predicted to be present on Mars, I hope to further our understanding of Martian habitability and the possibilities of biochemistry. The first biomolecule under investigation is the model enzyme alpha chymotrypsin and how it responds to the presence of Mars relevant perchlorate salts across pressure and temperature gradients. Further work will also investigate the biophysical response of lipid membranes to these conditions.