David Warmflash, David McKay, George Fox, Andrew Steele, Jake Maule, Carl Allen, Mary Schweitzer, Seth Pincus, Juan Perez Mercader, Victor Parro Garcia, Carlos Briones Llorente, Kathie Thomas-Keprta
The Microarray Assay for Solar System Exploration (MASSE) is based on the use of immunological reactions to detect chemical compounds in samples of extraterrestrial material. In order for this technology to be useful for in situ studies on any given planet, molecules present within the material examined must be extracted and recognizable to the antibodies used in the assays. Experiments are currently being conducted on the immunological detection of agents in environmental samples, including soils and JSC Mars - 1 Martian regolith simulant and progress to date is discussed in the context of the development of the MASSE instrument.
The Microarray Assay for Solar System Exploration (MASSE) will use a microarray of antibody tests to search for biomarkers in extraterrestrial environments. In order for this technology to be useful for in situ studies on any given planet, molecules present within the material examined must be extracted and recognizable to the antibodies used in the assays. Experiments are currently being conducted on the immunological detection of agents in environmental samples, including soils and JSC Mars - 1 Martian regolith simulant and progress and results of immunological testing of material containing biomarkers for viable life will be presented and discussed in the context of the development of the MASSE instrument.
Direct detection of organic biomarkers for living or fossil microbes on Mars by an in-situ instrument is a worthy goal for future lander missions. We are developing a prototype instrument based on immunological reactions to specific antibodies to cause activation of fluorescent stains. We expect to propose a fully developed version of the instrument for inclusion on the 2007 Mars landing mission.
The possibility that the positive outcome of the Viking Labeled Release Experiment (LR) had resulted from the presence of extant Martian microorganisms in samples examined on Mars was dismissed based largely on the failure of the Viking Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) to demonstrate the presence of organic mole-cules. More recent findings suggesting that the Viking GCMS would have missed such molecules if present necessitates a re-evaluation of the Viking LR data as well as a continued search for organic material and life at the Martian surface. In addition to advanced mass spectrometers to look for organic signatures of biological processes, future lander missions may use biological techniques, such as immunoassay, to directly detect bio-organic molecules. Meanwhile, several decades in advance of any planned sample return missions, the examination of Mars samples already present on Earth in the form of the SNC meteorites indicates that organic matter has existed in the Martian upper crust. It is concluded that a biological interpretation of the LR on Mars cannot be dismissed and should now be considered at least as plausible as a non-biological interpretation until more complete studies of the Martian sur-face are carried out.
Conference Committee Involvement (3)
Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology VIII
2 August 2004 | Denver, Colorado, United States
Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology VII
3 August 2003 | San Diego, California, United States
Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology V
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