Detecting the elemental and molecular signatures of life: Laser-based mass spectrometry technologies

Ligterink, N. F. W.; Riedo, Andreas; Tulej, Marek; Lukmanov, Rustam; Grimaudo, Valentine; Koning, Coenraad de; Würz, Peter; Briois, C.; Carrasco, Nathalie; Brinckerhoff, W. B.

doi:10.3847/25c2cfeb.782ec4d0

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…To search for amino acids, dedicated and sensitive instruments are needed. Laser Ablation Ionization Mass Spectrometric (LIMS) systems, either operated in desorption or ablation mode, are a relatively new and promising addition to the suite of available space instruments (Ligterink et al, 2020b). LIMS instruments have high analytical performance with high spatial resolution (spot sizes down to the µm level, about the size of a microbe) and sensitivity (sub-fmol mm −2 or sub-ppm limit of detection).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlation Network Analysis for Amino Acid Identification in Soil Samples With the ORIGIN Space-Prototype Instrument

Schwander

Ligterink²,

Kipfer³

et al. 2022

Front. Astron. Space Sci.

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The detection of biomolecules on Solar System bodies can help us to understand how life emerged on Earth and how life may be distributed in our Solar System. However, the detection of chemical signatures of life on planets or their moons is challenging. A variety of parameters must be considered, such as a suited landing site location, geological and environmental processes favourable to life, life detection strategies, and the application of appropriate and sensitive instrumentation. In this contribution, recent results obtained using our novel laser desorption mass spectrometer ORganics INformation Gathering Instrument (ORIGIN), an instrument designed for in situ space exploration, are presented. We focus in this paper on the detection and identification of amino acid extracts from a natural permafrost sample, as well as in an analogue mixture of soils and amino acids. The resulting dataset was analysed using a correlation network analysis method. Based on mass spectrometric correlation, amino acid signatures were separated from soil signatures, identifying chemically different molecular components in complex samples. The presented analysis method represents an alternative to the typically applied spectra-by-spectra analysis for the evaluation of mass spectrometric data and, therefore, is of high interest for future application in space exploration missions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlation Network Analysis for Amino Acid Identification in Soil Samples With the ORIGIN Space-Prototype Instrument

Schwander

Ligterink²,

Kipfer³

et al. 2022

Front. Astron. Space Sci.

Self Cite

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“…Many of the desired instruments do not fit with the small balloon payload mass and need more development time to mature to flight readiness. For example, a laser desorption mass spectrometer is a powerful tool for the non-pyrolyzed identification of a wide variety of compounds [38,39]. A Fluid-Screen particle concentrator can capture enough particles for a microscope focal plane [40].…”

Section: A Balloon Mission To Establish Habitability and Search For S...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Venus Life Finder Missions Motivation and Summary

et al. 2022

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Finding evidence of extraterrestrial life would be one of the most profound scientific discoveries ever made, advancing humanity into a new epoch of cosmic awareness. The Venus Life Finder (VLF) missions feature a series of three direct atmospheric probes designed to assess the habitability of the Venusian clouds and search for signs of life and life itself. The VLF missions are an astrobiology-focused set of missions, and the first two out of three can be launched quickly and at a relatively low cost. The mission concepts come out of an 18-month study by an MIT-led worldwide consortium.

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“…Multibounce ToF systems enable smaller instruments, even though they maintain a long travel distance in order to retain the high resolution. Instruments based on this technology have mainly been used with laser-ablation (Rohner et al, 2003;Wiesendanger et al, 2018Wiesendanger et al, , 2019Riedo et al, 2020;Ligterink et al, 2021). The ToF instrument used in these studies resulted from developments based on the Rosetta TOF-MS (Hohl et al, 1999).…”

Section: Mass Analyzersmentioning

confidence: 99%

In situ organic biosignature detection techniques for space applications

Abrahamsson

Kanik

2022

Front. Astron. Space Sci.

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The search for life in Solar System bodies such as Mars and Ocean Worlds (e.g., Europa and Enceladus) is an ongoing and high-priority endeavor in space science, even ∼ five decades after the first life detection mission at Mars performed by the twin Viking landers. However, the in situ detection of biosignatures remains highly challenging, both scientifically and technically. New instruments are being developed for detecting extinct or extant life on Mars and Ocean Worlds due to new technology and fabrication techniques. These instruments are becoming increasingly capable of both detecting and identifying in situ organic biosignatures that are indicative of life and will play a pivotal role in the search for evidence of life through robotic lander missions. This review article gives an overview of techniques used for space missions (gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and spectroscopy), the further ongoing developments of these techniques, and ion mobility spectrometry. In addition, current developments of techniques used in the next-generation instruments for organic biosignature detection are reviewed; these include capillary electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, biosensors (primarily immunoassays), and nanopore sensing; whereas microscopy, biological assays, and isotope analysis are beyond the scope of this paper and are not covered.

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Detecting the elemental and molecular signatures of life: Laser-based mass spectrometry technologies

Cited by 6 publications

References 18 publications

Correlation Network Analysis for Amino Acid Identification in Soil Samples With the ORIGIN Space-Prototype Instrument

Correlation Network Analysis for Amino Acid Identification in Soil Samples With the ORIGIN Space-Prototype Instrument

Venus Life Finder Missions Motivation and Summary

In situ organic biosignature detection techniques for space applications

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