Publications

I am an author of several peer-reviewed publications in international journals and book chapters. I am an author of several high-impact papers, including  Science, Nature GeoScience, PNAS and Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

My research has a big impact in the society, and I have >100 international media appearances to talk about my research.

Full list of publications is available at Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, ORCID.

Refereed papers

The symbol * denotes senior/corresponding author.

2024

66. De Gregorio B et al. (including Martins Z) (2024) Variations of organic functional chemistry in carbonaceous matter from the asteroid 162173 Ryugu. Nature Communication 15, 7488. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51731-w

65. Komatsu M et al. (including Martins Z) (2024) Raman spectroscopy of Ryugu particles and their extracted residues: Fluorescence background characteristics and similarities to CI chondrites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science. online. https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.14234

64. Jordan S F, van Zuilen M A, Rouillard J, Martins Z, Lane N (2024) Prebiotic membrane structures mimic the morphology of alleged early traces of life on Earth. Communications Earth & Environment 5, 234. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01372-0

63. Mathurin J., et al. (including Martins Z) (2024) AFM-IR nanospectroscopy of nanoglobule-like particles in Ryugu samples returned by the Hayabusa2 mission. Astronomy & Astrophysics 684, A198. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202347435

62. Nitler L., et al. (including Martins Z) (2024) Microscale hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen isotopic diversity of organic matter in asteroid Ryugu. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 637, 118719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2024.118719

61. Martins Z*, Pasek MA (2024) Delivery of organic matter to the early Earth. Elements 20, 19-23. https://doi.org/10.2138/gselements.20.1.19

60. Stroud RM, et al. (including Martins Z) (2024) Electron microscopy observations of the diversity of Ryugu organic matter and its relationship to minerals at the micro- to nano-scale. Meteoritics & Planetary Science. online.https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.14128

59. Jones GH, et al. (including Martins Z) (2024) The Comet Interceptor Mission. Space Sci Rev 220, 9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-023-01035-0

58. Rianço-Silva R, Machado P, Martins Z, Lellouch E, Louison J-C, Dobrijevic M, Dias J A, Ribeiro J (2024) A study of very high resolution visible spectra of Titan: Line characterisation in visible CH4 bands and the search for C3. Planetary and Space Science 240, 105836. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2023.105836

57. Bonal L, et al. (including Martins Z) (2024) The thermal history of Ryugu based on Raman characterization of Hayabusa2 samples. Icarus, 408, 115826. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115826

2023

56. Quirico E, et al. (including Martins Z) (2023) Compositional heterogeneity of insoluble organic matter extracted from asteroid Ryugu sample. Meteoritics & Planetary Science. online. https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.14097

55. Ferus M, et al. (including Martins Z) (2023) Simulating asteroid impacts and meteor events by high-power lasers: from the laboratory to spaceborne missions. Frontiers Astronomy and Space Sciences 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2023.1186172

54. Kebukawa Y, et al. (including Martins Z) (2023) Infrared absorption spectra from organic matter in the asteroid Ryugu samples: Some unique properties compared to unheated carbonaceous chondrites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 59, 1845-1858. https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.14064

53. Miranda C, Patel M, Berberan-Santos M N, Hormigo T, Correia A C M, Pedras B, Martins Z* (2023) The importance of Phobos simulants: a review on our current knowledge. Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2023.1130743

52. Dartois E, et al. (including Martins Z) (2023) Chemical composition of carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu from synchrotron spectroscopy in the mid- to far-infrared of Hayabusa2-returned samples. A&A 671, A2. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202244702

51. Yabuta H, et al. (including Martins Z) (2023) Macromolecular organic matter in samples of the asteroid (162173) Ryugu. Science 379, eabn9057. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abn9057 COVER ISSUE

50. Calapez F, Dias R, Cesário R, Gonçalves D, Pedras B, Canário J, Martins Z* (2023) Spectroscopic Detection of Biosignatures in Natural Ice Samples as a Proxy for Icy Moons. Life 13, 478. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13020478 COVER ISSUE

2022

49. Mousis O, Bouquet A, Langevin Y, André N, Boithias. H, Durry G, Faye F, Hartogh P, Helbert J, Iess L, Kempf S, Masters A, Postberg F, Renard J.-B.,  Vernazza P., Vorburger A, Wurz P, Atkinson DH, Barabash S, Berthomier M, Brucato J, Cable M, Carter J, Cazaux S, Coustenis A, Danger G, Dehant V, Fornaro T, Garnier P, Gautier T, Groussin O, Hadid LZ, Ize J-C, Kolmasova I, Lebreton J-P, Le Maistre S, Lellouch E, Lunine JI, Mandt KE, Martins Z, Mimoun D, Nenon Q, Muñoz Caro GM, Rannou P, Rauer H, Schmitt-Kopplin P, Schneeberger A, Simons M, Stephan K, Van Hoolst T, Vaverka J, Wieser M, and Wörner L (2022) Moonraker: Enceladus Multiple Flyby Mission. The Planetary Science Journal 3, 268. https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ac9c03

48. Barosch J, et al. (including Martins Z) (2022) Presolar Stardust in Asteroid Ryugu. The Astrophysical Journal Letters 935, L3. https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ac83bd

47.  Coelho LF, Blais MA, Matveev A, Keller-Costa T, Vincente WF, Costa R, Martins Z*, Canário J (2022) Contamination analysis of Arctic ice samples as planetary field analogs and implications for future life-detection missions to Europa and Enceladus. Scientific Reports 12, 12379. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-16370-5

46.  Coelho LF, Couceiro JF, Keller-Costa T, Valente SM, Ramalho TP, Carneiro J, Comte J, Blais M-A, Vincente WF, Martins Z, Canário J, Costa R (2022) Structural shifts in sea ice prokaryotic communities across a salinity gradient in the subarctic. Science of the Total Environment 827, 154286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154286

45.  Coelho LF, Madden J, Kaltenegger L, Zinder S, Philpot W, Esquível MG, Canário J, Costa R, Vincent WF, and Martins Z (2022) Color Catalogue of Life in Ice: Surface Biosignatures on Icy Worlds. Astrobiology, 22, 313-321. https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2021.0008

2021

44.  D'Ischia M,  Manini P,  Martins Z,  Remusat L,  Alexander C M. O'D,  Puzzarini C,  Barone V,  Saladino R (2021)  Insoluble organic matter in chondrites: Archetypal melanin-like PAH-based multifunctionality at the origin of life?. Physics of Life Reviews 37, 65-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plrev.2021.03.002

2020

43.  Blanc M et al. (including Martins Z) (2020) Joint Europa Mission (JEM) a multi-scale study of Europa to characterize its habitability and search for extant life. Planetary and Space Science 193, 104960. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2020.104960

42.  Chan QHS, Stroud R, Martins Z, Yabuta H (2020) Concerns of Organic Contamination for Sample Return Space Missions. Space Sci Rev 216, 56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-020-00678-7

41.  Martins Z*, Chan QHS, Bonal L, King A., Yabuta H. (2020) Organic Matter in the Solar System - Implications for Future on-Site and Sample Return Missions. Space Sci Rev 216, 54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-020-00679-6

2019

40.  Aerts JW, van Spanning RJM, Flahaut J, Molenaar D, Bland PA, Genge MJ, Ehrenfreund P and Martins Z (2019) Microbial Communities in Sediments From Four Mildly Acidic Ephemeral Salt Lakes in the Yilgarn Craton (Australia) - Terrestrial Analogs to Ancient Mars. Front. Microbiol. 10, 779. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.00779

39.  Laurent B, Cousins CR, Pereira MFC, Martins Z (2019) Effects of UV-organic interaction and Martian conditions on the survivability of organics. Icarus 323, 33-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2019.01.020

2018

38.  Modica P, Martins Z, Meinert C, Zanda B, d'Hendecourt LLS (2018) The Amino Acid Distribution in Laboratory Analogs of Extraterrestrial Organic Matter: A Comparison to CM Chondrites. The Astrophysical Journal 865, 41-51. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/aada8a

37.  Martins Z* (2018) The Nitrogen Heterocycle Content of Meteorites and Their Significance for the Origin of Life. Life 8, 28-43. https://doi.org/10.3390/life8030028

2017

36.  Rimola A, Trigo-Rodríguez JM, Martins Z (2017), Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 19, 18217-18231. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c7cp03504g

35.  Cottin H, Kotler JM, Billi D, Cockell C, Demets R, Ehrenfreund P, Elsaesser A, d'Hendecourt L, van Loon J, Martins Z, Onofri S, Quinn RC, Rabbow E, Rettberg P, Ricco AJ, Slenzka K, de la Torre R, de Vera J-P, Westall F, Carrasco N, Fresneau A, Kawaguchi Y, Kebukawa Y, Nguyen D, Poch O, Saiagh K, Stalport F, Yamagishi A, Yano H, Klamm BA (2017), Space Science Reviews 209, 83?181. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11214-017-0365-5

34.  Martins Z, Cottin H, Kotler JM, Carrasco N, Cockell C, de la Torre R, Demets R, de Vera J-P, dHendecourt L, Ehrenfreund P, Elsaesser A, Foing B, Onofri S, Quinn R, Rabbow E, Rettberg P, Ricco AJ, Slenzka K, Stalport F, ten Kate IL, van Loon J, Westall F (2017) Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology - A European. Perspective Space Science Reviews 209, 43-81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11214-017-0369-1

33.  Cottin H, Kotler JM, Bartik K, Cleaves HJ, Cockell CS, de Vera J-PP, Ehrenfreund P, Leuko S, Ten Kate IL, Martins Z, Pascal R, Quinn R, Rettberg P, Westall F (2017), Space Science Reviews 209, 1-42 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11214-015-0196-1

2016

32.  dos Santos R, Patel M, Cuadros J, Martins Z* (2016) Icarus 277, 342-353. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2016.05.029

31.  Myrgorodska I, Meinert C, Martins Z, le Sergeant dHendecourt L, Meierhenrich U (2016) Quantitative enantioseparation of amino acids by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography applied to non-terrestrial samples. Journal of Chromatography A 1433, 131-136. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2016.01.014

2015

30.  Martins Z*, Modica P, Zanda B, d'Hendecourt L (2015) The amino acid and hydrocarbon contents of the Paris meteorite: Insights into the most primitive CM chondrite. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 50, 926-943. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/maps.12442

29.  Myrgorodska I, Meinert C, Martins Z, d'Hendecourt L, Meierhenrich UJ (2015) Molecular Chirality in Meteorites and Interstellar Ices, and the Chirality Experiment on Board the ESA Cometary Rosetta Mission. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 54, 1402-1412. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.201409354

2014

28.  Trigo-Rodriguez JM, Moyano-Cambero CE, Llorca J, Fornasier S, Barucci MA, Belskaya I, Martins Z, Rivkin AS, Dotto E, Madiedo JM, Alonso-Azcarate J (2014) Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 437, 227-240. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stt1873

2013

27.  Martins Z, Price MC, Goldman N, Sephton MA, Burchell MJ (2013) Shock synthesis of amino acids from impacting cometary and icy planet surface analogues. Nature GeoScience 6, 1045-1049. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1930

26.  Howard K, Bailey MJ, Berhanu D, Bland PA, Cressey G, Howard LE, Jeynes C, Matthewman R, Martins Z, Sephton MA, Stolojan V, Verchovsky S (2013) Biomass preservation in impact melt ejecta. Nature Geoscience 6, 1018-1022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1996

25.  Matthewman R, Martins Z, Sephton MA (2013) Astrobiology 13, 324-333. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/ast.2012.0820

2012

24.  Elsila JE, Glavin DP, Dworkin JP, Martins Z, and Bada JL (2012) PNAS 109, 48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1213261109

23.  Chan HS, Martins Z*, Sephton MA (2012) Meteoritics & Planetary Science 47, 1502?1516. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2012.01413.x

22.  Matthewman R, Cotton LJ, Martins Z, Sephton MA (2012) Marine and Petroleum Geology 37, 41-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2012.05.009

21.  Chan HS, Martins Z*, Sephton MA (2012) Planetary and Space Science 68, 42-47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2011.06.004

20.  Chan HS, Martins Z*, Sephton MA (2012) Planetary and Space Science 60, 336-341. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2011.10.011

2011

19.  Ehrenfreund P, Röling WFM, Thiel CS, Quinn R, Sephton MA, Stoker C, Kotler JM, Direito S, Martins Z, Orzechowska G, Kidd RD, van Sluis CA, Foing BH (2011) Int. J. Astrobiol. 10, 239-254. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1473550411000140

18.  Martins Z*, Sephton MA, Foing BH, Ehrenfreund P (2011) Extraction of amino acids from soils close to the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), Utah. Int. J. Astrobiol. 10, 231-238. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1473550410000431

17.  Kotler JM, Quinn R, Foing BH, Martins Z, Ehrenfreund P (2011) Int. J. Astrobiol. 10, 221-230. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1473550411000103

16.  Foing BH, Stoker C, Zavaleta J, Ehrenfreund P, Thiel C, Sarrazin P, Blake D, Page J, Pletser V, Hendrikse J, Direito S, Kotler JM, Martins Z, Orzechowska G, Gross C, Wendt L, Clarke J, Borst A, Peters S, Wilhelm M, Davies G, team ILEWGE2009 (2011) Int. J. Astrobiol. 10, 141-160. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1473550411000036

15.  Martins Z* (2011) Organic Chemistry of Carbonaceous Meteorites. Elements 7, 35-40. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.7.1.35 

14.  Martins Z* (2011) Astron. Geophys. 52, 1.34-1.35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-4004.2011.52134.x

13.  Marlow JJ, Martins Z, Sephton MA (2011) Int. J. Astrobiol. 10, 31-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1473550410000303

2009

12.  Peeter Z, Quinn R, Martins Z, Sephton MA, Becker L, MCM VL, Brucato J, Grunthaner F, Ehrenfreund P (2009) Int. J. Astrobiol. 10, 301-315. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1473550409990140

2008

11.  Botta O, Martins Z, Emmenegger C, Dworkin JP, Glavin DP, Harvey RP, Zenobi R, Bada JL, Ehrenfreund P (2008) Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 43, 1465-1480. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2008.tb01021.x

10.  Martins Z*, Botta O, Fogel ML, Sephton MA, Glavin DP, Watson JS, Dworkin JP, Schwartz AW, Ehrenfreund P (2008) Extraterrestrial nucleobases in the Murchison meteorite. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 270, 130-136. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2008.03.026

9.   Marlow JJ, Martins Z, Sephton MA (2008) Astron. Geophys. 49, 2.2-2.5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-4004.2008.49220.x

8.   Küppers M, et al. including Martins Z (2008) Experimental Astronomy 23, 809-847. http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1007/s10686-008-9115-8

2007

7.   Martins Z*, Hofmann BA, Gnos E, Greenwood RC, Verchovsky A, Franchi IA, Jull AJT, Botta O, Glavin DP, Dworkin JP, Ehrenfreund P (2007) Amino acid composition, petrology, geochemistry, 14C terrestrial age and oxygen isotopes of the Shi?r 033 CR chondrite. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 42, 1581-1595. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2007.tb00592.x

6.   Botta O, Martins Z, Ehrenfreund P (2007) Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 42, 81-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2007.tb00219.x

5.   Ehrenfreund P, Ruiterkamp R, Peeters Z, Foing B, Salama F, Martins Z (2007) Planet. Space Sci. 55, 383-400. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2006.07.001

4.   Martins Z*, Alexander C, Orzechowska GE, Fogel ML, Ehrenfreund P (2007) Indigenous amino acids in primitive CR meteorites. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 42, 2125-2136. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2007.tb01013.x

2006

3.   Martins Z*, Watson JS, Sephton MA, Botta O, Ehrenfreund P, Gilmour I (2006) Free dicarboxylic and aromatic acids in the carbonaceous chondrites Murchison and Orgueil. Planet. Sci. 41, 1073-1080. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2006.tb00505.x

2.   Glavin DP, Dworkin JP, Aubrey A, Botta O, Doty I, Martins Z, Bada J (2006) Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 41, 889-902. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2006.tb00493.x

1.   Garry JRC, ten Kate IL, Martins Z, Nørnberg P, Ehrenfreund P (2006) Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 41, 391-405. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2006.tb00470.x


Books and/or Book Chapters
2024
7. Bassereau P, Cangelosi A, Čejková J, Gershenson C, Goldstein R, Martins Z, Matthews S, Ritort F, Seager S, Van Tiggelen B, Vernon D, Westall F (2024) Physics for understanding life. In Physics for Society in the Horizon 2050. Editor Carlos Hidalgo. IOP Publishing Ltd., Pages 4-1 to 4-99
https://doi.org/10.1088/978-0-7503-6342-6

2021

6. Coelho L. F., Martins Z* (2021) The Geochemistry of Icy Moons. In Encyclopedia of Geology, 1, pp. 207-216. UK: Academic Press, Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102908-4.00123-5

2020

5. Martins Z* (2020) Detection of Organic Matter and Biosignatures in Space Missions. In Astrobiology: Current, Evolving and Emerging Perspectives, Editors: Antunes. Caister Academic Press, Pages 53-74. https://doi.org/10.21775/9781912530304.03

2018

4. Martins Z* (2018) Organic Molecules in Meteorites and Their Astrobiological Significance. In Handbook of Astrobiology, Editor: Kolb. CRC Press. Pages: 177-194. ISBN 9781138065123 - CAT# K33392. [Link to download document].

3. Mason N, Capova KA, Laine P, Losiak A, Martins Z, Noack L, Smith K (2018) Science and Research. In Astrobiology and Society in Europe Today, Editors: Capova, Persson, Milligan, Dunér. Springer International Publishing, Pages: 41-46. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96265-8

2012

2. Martins Z* (2012) Origin of the Genetic Code and Abiotic Synthesis of Organic Compounds, In Life on Earth and other Planetary Bodies, Editors: Hanslmeier, Kempe, Seckback. Dordrecht, Springer, Pages 271-289. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4966-5_16

2009

1. Martins Z*, Sephton MA (2009) Extraterrestrial amino acids In: Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins in Organic Chemistry, Editors: Hughes. Germany, Wiley-VCH publishers, Pages: 3-42 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9783527631766.ch1