BIOMARKERS DETECTION IN MARS ANALOGUE SITES WITHIN MASE PROJECT

Abstract

Life is a physico-chemical process by which tell-tale signals or traces are left on the environment. These signals are indicators of life and are known as biomarkers. Besides, the traces of some kinds of microorganisms can be well preserved, provided that they are rapidly mineralized and that the sediments in which they occur are rapidly cemented [1]. The search for these traces of life is one of the main objectives of Mars exploration [1] and to improve and optimize the search and detection of them forms part of MASE project targets. In MASE project (Mars Analogues for Space Exploration) we work to improve approaches and methods for biomarker detection in samples with low biomass from Mars analogue sites. A developed antibody multiarray competitive immunoassay (MACIA) for the simultaneous detection of compounds of a wide range of molecular sizes or whole spores and cells [2] [3] has revealed as suitable option to achieve this purpose.