Biologists at the Wageningen University and Research Centre in the Netherlands have successfully bred two worms in simulated Martian soil as part of plant growth experiments . In a statement , the university suggested the worms break up the soil and kill bacteria by breaking down organic matter , stimulating the release of essential plant nutrients , and suggesting the creatures could potentially support a closed ecosystem on the Red Planet . A crowdfunding campaign to continue monitoring the worms has already reached 50 % of its € 10,000 ( $ 11,700 ) goal .
Biologists at the Wageningen University and Research Centre in the Netherlands have successfully bred two worms in simulated Martian soil as part of plant growth experiments. In a statement, the university said the worms break up the soil and produce bacteria by breaking down organic matter, stimulating the release of essential plant nutrients, and suggesting the creatures could help support a closed ecosystem on the Red Planet. A crowdfunding campaign to continue monitoring the worms has already reached 50% of its €10,000 ($11,700) goal.