In situ organic biosignature detection techniques for space applications
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...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2022.959670/full |
| _version_ | 1811186974356144128 |
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| author | Victor Abrahamsson Isik Kanik Isik Kanik |
| author_facet | Victor Abrahamsson Isik Kanik Isik Kanik |
| author_sort | Victor Abrahamsson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T13:54:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cfd0d1809799479cad06fd0840d9702b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-987X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T13:54:15Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-cfd0d1809799479cad06fd0840d9702b2022-12-22T04:20:24ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences2296-987X2022-11-01910.3389/fspas.2022.959670959670In situ organic biosignature detection techniques for space applicationsVictor Abrahamsson0Isik Kanik1Isik Kanik2Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United StatesJet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United StatesNASA Astrobiology Institute—Icy Worlds, Pasadena, CA, United StatesThe 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.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2022.959670/fullastrobiologylife detectionanalytical chemistrybiomarkerinstruments |
| spellingShingle | Victor Abrahamsson Isik Kanik Isik Kanik In situ organic biosignature detection techniques for space applications Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences astrobiology life detection analytical chemistry biomarker instruments |
| title | In situ organic biosignature detection techniques for space applications |
| title_full | In situ organic biosignature detection techniques for space applications |
| title_fullStr | In situ organic biosignature detection techniques for space applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | In situ organic biosignature detection techniques for space applications |
| title_short | In situ organic biosignature detection techniques for space applications |
| title_sort | in situ organic biosignature detection techniques for space applications |
| topic | astrobiology life detection analytical chemistry biomarker instruments |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2022.959670/full |
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