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Development status of life marker chip for ExoMars

Authors :
Sims, Mark R.
Cullen, David C.
Rix, Catherine S.
Buckley, Alan
Derveni, Mariliza
Evans, Daniel
García-Con, Luis Miguel
Rhodes, Andrew
Rato, Carla C.
Stefinovic, Marijan
Sephton, Mark A.
Court, Richard W.
Bulloch, Christopher
Kitchingman, Ian
Ali, Zeshan
Pullan, Derek
Holt, John
Blake, Oliver
Sykes, Jonathan
Samara-Ratna, Piyal
Canali, Massimiliano
Borst, Guus
Leeuwis, Henk
Prak, Albert
Norfini, Aleandro
Geraci, Ennio
Tavanti, Marco
Brucato, John
Holm, Nils
Sims, Mark R.
Cullen, David C.
Rix, Catherine S.
Buckley, Alan
Derveni, Mariliza
Evans, Daniel
García-Con, Luis Miguel
Rhodes, Andrew
Rato, Carla C.
Stefinovic, Marijan
Sephton, Mark A.
Court, Richard W.
Bulloch, Christopher
Kitchingman, Ian
Ali, Zeshan
Pullan, Derek
Holt, John
Blake, Oliver
Sykes, Jonathan
Samara-Ratna, Piyal
Canali, Massimiliano
Borst, Guus
Leeuwis, Henk
Prak, Albert
Norfini, Aleandro
Geraci, Ennio
Tavanti, Marco
Brucato, John
Holm, Nils
Publication Year :
2012

Abstract

The Life Marker Chip (LMC) is one of the instruments being developed for possible flight on the 2018 ExoMars mission. The instrument uses solvents to extract organic compounds from samples of martian regolith and to transfer the extracts to dedicated detectors based around the use of antibodies. The scientific aims of the instrument are to detect organics in the form of biomarkers that might be associated with extinct life, extant life or abiotic sources of organics. The instrument relies on a novel surfactant-based solvent system and bespoke, commercial and research-developed antibodies against a number of distinct biomarkers or molecular types. The LMC comprises of a number of subsystems designed to accept up to four discrete samples of martian regolith or crushed rock, implement the solvent extraction, perform microfluidic-based multiplexed antibody-assays for biomarkers and other targets, optically detect the fluorescent output of the assays, control the internal instrument pressure and temperature, in addition to the associated instrument control electronics and software. The principle of operation, the design and the instrument development status as of December 2011 are reported here. The instrument principle can be extended to other configurations and missions as needed.

Details

Database :
OAIster
Notes :
English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1235028166
Document Type :
Electronic Resource
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016.j.pss.2012.04.007