Canadian researchers help uncover possible signs of life on Mars

A team of researchers have made exciting new findings following the study of samples collected by NASA's Perseverance Mars rover. Through their analyses, researchers believe that they have discovered a potential “biosignature”: a substance, feature or pattern that may suggest the presence of past or present life.

Longueuil, Quebec, September 10, 2025 — A team of researchers have made exciting new findings following the study of samples collected by NASA's Perseverance Mars rover. Through their analyses, researchers believe that they have discovered a potential “biosignature”: a substance, feature or pattern that may suggest the presence of past or present life.

These recent findings were published in Nature, in a paper co-authored by researchers including representatives from three Canadian universities:

• Dr. Ed Cloutis, University of Winnipeg
• Dr. Chris Herd, University of Alberta
• Dr. Mariek Schmidt, Brock University

Learn more at Canadian scientists contribute to Perseverance Mars rover findings.

For interviews with a Canadian Space Agency expert and more details about Canada's role, please contact the Media Relations Office.

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