Life Marker Chip Sample Processing Post PCR#2 (Q3 2009 to Q3 2010)
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Earth Science and Engineering
Abstract
The extraction of organic molecules from samples on Mars and their subsequent delivery to an instrument capable of characterizing their chemistry represents a substantial analytical challenge. Difficulties arise because of the various chemical properties of the target molecules. Biological molecules are predominantly polar and dissolve readily in aqueous solutions whereas fossil organic molecules are non polar and dissolve in organic solvents; abiotic molecules can contain both types. A solvent for Mars must be able to cope with all types of organic molecule. Our current method uses a surfactant/water/methanol solution. Moreover, the organic molecules may reside in a number of lithologies each of which can selectively retain certain analytes. These matrix effects represent potential barriers for effective extraction procedures. The host lithologies may also produce changes in solvent chemistry which has a deleterious effect on its extraction efficiency or characteristics during transport.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Mark Sephton (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Sims M
(2012)
Development status of the life marker chip instrument for ExoMars
in Planetary and Space Science
Sims M
(2012)
Development status of the life marker chip instrument for ExoMars
in Planetary and Space Science
Sephton M
(2011)
New Solvents for Space Missions: Utility for Life Detection Instruments and Notable Terrestrial Applications
in Recent Patents on Space Technology
Court R
(2010)
Novel solvent systems for in situ extraterrestrial sample analysis
in Planetary and Space Science
Court R
(2012)
Potential failure of life detection experiments on Mars resulting from adsorption of organic compounds on to common instrument materials
in Planetary and Space Science
Court R
(2012)
Extraction of polar and nonpolar biomarkers from the martian soil using aqueous surfactant solutions
in Planetary and Space Science
Court R
(2012)
Extraction of polar and nonpolar biomarkers from the martian soil using aqueous surfactant solutions
in Planetary and Space Science
Court R
(2012)
Potential failure of life detection experiments on Mars resulting from adsorption of organic compounds on to common instrument materials
in Planetary and Space Science
Court R
(2010)
Novel solvent systems for in situ extraterrestrial sample analysis
in Planetary and Space Science
A. Sephton M
(2011)
New Solvents for Space Missions: Utility for Life Detection Instruments and Notable Terrestrial Applications
in Recent Patents on Space Technology
Description | Extraction protocols for organic molecules using aqueous solvents Detection capabilities for Mars life detection instruments Understanding of organic matter preservation and extraction in extreme settings |
Exploitation Route | Work is published and accessible to others |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Energy |
Description | Organic compounds are at the centre of the energy industry and our improved methods for extraction, manipulation and detection are being examined by the oil industry. |
First Year Of Impact | 2006 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Energy |
Impact Types | Economic |