Astrobiology and habitability studies in preparation for future Mars missions: trends from investigating minerals, organics and biota

Ehrenfreund, P.; Röling, Wilfred F. M.; Thiel, Cora S.; Quinn, R. C.; Sephton, Mark A.; Stoker, C.; Kotler, J. Michelle; Direito, S.; Martins, Zita; Orzechowska, G. E.; Kidd, Richard; Sluis, C.A. van; Foing, B. H.

doi:10.1017/s1473550411000140

Cited by 39 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 88 publications

(167 reference statements)

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“…MDRS, in Utah, is an arid, oxidizing environment with high temperatures during the day and low temperatures at night. MDRS has a mineralogy comparable to that found on Mars and a patchy distribution of biomarkers and microorganisms (Clarke and Stoker, 2011;Direito et al, 2011;Ehrenfreund et al, 2011;Martins et al, 2011). Parts of Mars may have been highly acidic and saline in the past, resembling conditions currently found at Río Tinto, Spain.…”

Section: Conclusion and Perspectivementioning

confidence: 76%

The Significance of Microbe-Mineral-Biomarker Interactions in the Detection of Life on Mars and Beyond

Röling¹,

Aerts²,

Patty³

et al. 2015

Astrobiology

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The detection of biomarkers plays a central role in our effort to establish whether there is, or was, life beyond Earth. In this review, we address the importance of considering mineralogy in relation to the selection of locations and biomarker detection methodologies with characteristics most promising for exploration. We review relevant mineral-biomarker and mineral-microbe interactions. The local mineralogy on a particular planet reflects its past and current environmental conditions and allows a habitability assessment by comparison with life under extreme conditions on Earth. The type of mineral significantly influences the potential abundances and types of biomarkers and microorganisms containing these biomarkers. The strong adsorptive power of some minerals aids in the preservation of biomarkers and may have been important in the origin of life. On the other hand, this strong adsorption as well as oxidizing properties of minerals can interfere with efficient extraction and detection of biomarkers. Differences in mechanisms of adsorption and in properties of minerals and biomarkers suggest that it will be difficult to design a single extraction procedure for a wide range of biomarkers. While on Mars samples can be used for direct detection of biomarkers such as nucleic acids, amino acids, and lipids, on other planetary bodies remote spectrometric detection of biosignatures has to be relied upon. The interpretation of spectral signatures of photosynthesis can also be affected by local mineralogy. We identify current gaps in our knowledge and indicate how they may be filled to improve the chances of detecting biomarkers on Mars and beyond.

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Section: Conclusion and Perspectivementioning

confidence: 76%

The Significance of Microbe-Mineral-Biomarker Interactions in the Detection of Life on Mars and Beyond

Röling¹,

Aerts²,

Patty³

et al. 2015

Astrobiology

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“…Also for archaea of the organotroph nutritional type, the close vicinity of plants is beneficial. Additionally, the soil mineral composition is a crucial point for microbial existence and growth, and is discussed for some of the samples listed in Table 1 in Ehrenfreund et al (2011;this volume). A further possibility to investigate the composition of microbial communities on the level of the ribosomal RNA genes is to subclone the amplified PCR products and identify different microbial species by sequencing this volume) or even to perform a metagenome sequencing analysis of the entire microbial community (Tringe et al 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In order to assess several human and scientific aspects of future robotic and manned missions on planetary surfaces, the EuroGeoMars campaign was performed as part of the ExoGeoLab pilot project developed at ESTEC/ESA (European Space Agency) in collaboration with ILEWG, NASA Ames and European and US investigators (Foing 2009;Ehrenfreund et al 2010;Foing et al 2010;Ehrenfreund et al 2011;Foing et al 2011) at the Mars Desert Research Station. The MDRS is a Mars analogue research station ( Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

PCR-based analysis of microbial communities during the EuroGeoMars campaign at Mars Desert Research Station, Utah

Thiel

Ehrenfreund

Foing

et al. 2011

International Journal of Astrobiology

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Abstract:The search for evidence of past or present life on Mars will require the detection of markers that indicate the presence of life. Because deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is found in all known living organisms, it is considered to be a 'biosignature' of life. The main function of DNA is the long-term storage of genetic information, which is passed on from generation to generation as hereditary material. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a revolutionary technique which allows a single fragment or a small number of fragments of a DNA molecule to be amplified millions of times, making it possible to detect minimal traces of DNA. The compactness of the contemporary PCR instruments makes routine sample analysis possible with a minimum amount of laboratory space. Furthermore the technique is effective, robust and straightforward. Our goal was to establish a routine for the detection of DNA from micro-organisms using the PCR technique during the EuroGeoMars simulation campaign. This took place at the Mars Society's Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah in February 2009 (organized with the support of the International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG), NASA Ames and the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC)). During the MDRS simulation, we showed that it is possible to establish a minimal molecular biology lab in the habitat for the immediate on-site analysis of samples by PCR after sample collection. Soil and water samples were taken at different locations and soil depths. The sample analysis was started immediately after the crew returned to the habitat laboratory. DNA was isolated from micro-organisms and used as a template for PCR analysis of the highly conserved ribosomal DNA to identify representatives of the different groups of micro-organisms (bacteria, archaea and eukarya). The PCR products were visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis and documented by transillumination and digital imaging. The microbial diversity in the collected samples was analysed with respect to sampling depth and the presence or absence of vegetation. For the first time, we have demonstrated that it is possible to perform direct on-site DNA analysis by PCR at MDRS, a simulated planetary habitat in an extreme environment that serves as a model for preparation and optimization of techniques to be used for future Mars exploration.

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“…In this analogue context, all the mission aspects are simulated to perform fieldwork as a test of human factors procedures. The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in southern Utah (USA) is an analogue site where human space mission simulations are performed in order to investigate all possible factors that may interact to affect mission success, such as human factors and geological in-situ resource exploration (Schlacht et al 2010;Ehrenfreund et al 2011;Foing et al , 2013Foing et al , 2014Kotler et al 2011;Thiel et al 2011). Every two weeks, exchange crews of six members come to the station to perform a new mission to establish the knowl-edge of, and to test the equipment necessary for future successful planetary exploration, also from a human factors perspective.…”

Section: Long-term Field-testing Campaignsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

et al. 2017

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Scientists use the Earth as a tool for astrobiology by analyzing planetary field analogues (i.e. terrestrial samples and field sites that resemble planetary bodies in our Solar System). In addition, they expose the selected planetary field analogues in simulation chambers to conditions that mimic the ones of planets, moons and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space conditions, as well as the chemistry occurring in interstellar and cometary ices. This paper reviews the ways the Earth is used by astrobiologists: (i) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extant life from extreme environments, its metabolisms, adaptation strategies and modern biosignatures; (ii) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extinct life from the oldest rocks on our planet and its biosignatures; (iii) by exposing terrestrial samples to simulated space or planetary environments and producing a sample analogue to investigate changes in minerals, biosignatures and microorganisms. The European Space Agency (ESA) created a topical team in 2011 to investigate recent activities using the Earth as a tool for astrobiology and to formulate recommendations and scientific needs to improve ground-based astrobiological research. Space is an important tool for astrobiology (see Horneck et al. in Astrobiology, 16:201-243, 2016;Cottin et al., 2017), but access to space is limited. Complementing research on Earth provides fast access, more replications and higher sample throughput. The major conclusions of the topical team and suggestions for the future include more scientifically qualified calls for field campaigns with planetary analogy, and a centralized point of contact at ESA or the EU for the organization of a survey of such expeditions. An improvement of the coordinated logistics, infrastructures and funding system supporting the combination of field work with planetary simulation investigations, as well as an optimization of the scientific return and data processing, data storage and data distribution is also needed. Finally, a coordinated EU or ESA education and outreach program would improve the participation of the public in the astrobiological activities.

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Astrobiology and habitability studies in preparation for future Mars missions: trends from investigating minerals, organics and biota

Cited by 39 publications

References 88 publications

The Significance of Microbe-Mineral-Biomarker Interactions in the Detection of Life on Mars and Beyond

The Significance of Microbe-Mineral-Biomarker Interactions in the Detection of Life on Mars and Beyond

PCR-based analysis of microbial communities during the EuroGeoMars campaign at Mars Desert Research Station, Utah

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

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