In situ organic biosignature detection techniques for space applications

Abstract

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.

Optimization of analytical method greenness scores: a case study of amino acid enantioseparations with carbonated aqueous systems

“…The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has special interests in developing lightweight and small instruments for extraterrestrial in situ chiral/ achiral chemical analysis. [25][26][27][28] These instruments must work without or with very little organic solvents (contamination/radiation/decomposition risk, and finite supply), ideally analyze molecules without derivatization, have simple sample preparation requirements, and have low energy consumption. These goals, although unrelated, have shared interest with the Principles of Green Chemistry.…”

Immunoanalytical Detection of Conserved Peptides: Refining the Universe of Biomarker Targets in Planetary Exploration

“…These were followed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, or fluorescence spectroscopy. 5,6 More recently, liquid-based techniques have been developed, like capillary electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, nanopores, and nanogaps that seek for a lower detection limit and for broadening the range of target biosignatures. 6 The use of antibody-based biosensors has also been proven to be effective for astrobiological applications.…”

“…5,6 More recently, liquid-based techniques have been developed, like capillary electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, nanopores, and nanogaps that seek for a lower detection limit and for broadening the range of target biosignatures. 6 The use of antibody-based biosensors has also been proven to be effective for astrobiological applications. The instrument SOLID3 7 uses liquid extraction techniques to produce the soluble fraction of a sample, 5 and its LDchip (composed of over 200 antibodies) interrogates for a range of bacteria and macromolecules (ca.…”

“…In the 1976 Viking missions to Mars, the techniques consisted of pyrolysis or thermal volatilization of the sample. These were followed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, or fluorescence spectroscopy. , More recently, liquid-based techniques have been developed, like capillary electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, nanopores, and nanogaps that seek for a lower detection limit and for broadening the range of target biosignatures …”

Immunoanalytical Approach for Detecting and Identifying Ancestral Peptide Biomarkers in Early Earth Analogue Environments

“…Our group , and others have proposed the use of antibody microarrays to search for molecular biomarkers on the surface of Mars and Ocean Worlds such as Enceladus or Europa (reviewed in ref ). To that end, we have developed the Life Detector Chip (LDChip), an antibody microarray containing over 200 antibodies, , directed at a similar number of targets selected among the most universal biomolecules (aromatic amino acids, nucleotides, DNA, peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharides), microorganisms (members of Bacteria and Archaea) isolated from terrestrial analogues (e.g., Atacama, Antarctica, Rio Tinto), and other organic compounds (e.g., mellitic acid, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs]).…”