Workshop on Mars Astrobiology Science and Technology
Carnegie Institution of Washington
(1530 P St., NW, Washington, DC, two blocks from DuPont
Circle, main auditorium; enter building through the P St. entrance)
8-10 September 2004
Sponsored by NASA Office of Space Sciences, NASA Astrobiology Institute, and Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG).
(Final agenda, 20 August 2004)
Note on posters: All posters should be up for the entire meeting, and each will be highlighted during the designated session.
Tuesday, 7 September
| 7:00-11:00 p.m. | Student ice breaker (but all are welcome), location “Buffalo Billiards”, 130 19th St., NW, Washington DC. |
Wednesday, 8 September
| 8:00 a.m. | Registration, continental breakfast | All |
| 8:30 a.m. | Welcome and introduction to meeting | B. Jakosky, G. Bearman, A. Steele |
| 8:45 a.m. | Mars program status | D. McCuistion |
| 9:05 a.m. | Mars program science status | J. Garvin |
| 9:25 a.m. | NASA HQ perspective on astrobiotechnology, ASTEP, and ASTID programs | M. Meyer |
| 9:50 a.m. | PIDDP, MIDDP, and SRLIDAP programs | M. Lindstrom |
| 10:05 a.m. | Break | |
| 10:20 a.m. | MEPAG science goals and objectives (emphasizing life) | A. Steele |
| 10:50 a.m. | Lessons learned from MER about in situ quantitative analysis | D. Des Marais |
| 11:20 a.m. | Planetary protection issues and status | J. Rummel |
| 11:45 a.m. | ITAR rules and regulations | J. Hall |
| 12:15 p.m. | Lunch | |
| 1:30 p.m. | Session 1: Sample handling and planetary protection for in situ analysis and sample return | Discussion leader: Luther Beegle |
| Introduction to discussion questions | ||
| 2:00-3:00 p.m. | Poster viewing for this session (includes break) | |
| -Posters on sample access, handling and planetary protection for in situ analysis and sample return | ||
| -Posters on technology demos, ASTEP projects, and flight-ready instrumentation | ||
| 2:45 p.m. | Focused discussion on: | |
| - Sample concentration methods | ||
| - Cross-contamination issues | ||
| - Organic contamination detection and mitigation | ||
| - Sterilization techniques and instrument survival | ||
| - Completely clean blanks | ||
| - Sample extraction | ||
| - Handling icy and ice samples | ||
| - Down-hole sample transport and measurements | ||
| 4:30 p.m. | Summary issues and recommendations | |
| 5:00-7:00 p.m. | Reception | |
Thursday, 9 September
8:00 a.m. |
Continental Breakfast | |
8:30 a.m. |
Session 2: Targeting in situ analysis, sample selection, and context measurements | Discussion leader: Pan Conrad |
| Introduction to discussion questions | ||
| 9:00 a.m. | Poster viewing for this session (includes break) | |
| 10:30 a.m. | Focused discussion on: | |
| - On-surface remote-sensing measurements for target selection | ||
| - “Contact” imaging at all spatial scales | ||
- Microscopic imaging spectroscopy |
||
| - Imaging elemental and chemical analyses | ||
| 11:45 a.m. | Summary issues and recommendations | |
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch | |
| 1:15 p.m. | Session 3: Microfluidics and biomolecular techniques for detecting biosignatures | Discussion leaders: John Dzenitis and Josh Molho |
| Introduction to discussion questions | ||
| 1:45 p.m. | Poster viewing for this session (includes break) | |
| 3:15 p.m. | Focused discussion on: | |
| - Microfluidic devices (and how to clean them) | ||
| - Sensors from bioterrorism developments | ||
| - Ultrasensitive instrumentation--optical assays, mass spectrometry and nano-mems devices | ||
| - MicroTAS (total analytic systems) | ||
| 4:30 p.m. | Summary issues and recommendations | |
| 5:00 p.m. | Student-led discussion on graduate education and educational outreach | K. Lynch, L. Taylor |
| 6:00 p.m. | Adjourn | |
Friday, 10 September
| 8:00 a.m. | Continental Breakfast | |
| 8:30 a.m. | Session 4: Other organic molecule detection techniques | Discussion leaders: Tony Ricco and Greg Kovacs |
| Introduction to discussion questions | ||
| 9:00 a.m. | Poster viewing for this session (includes break) | |
| 10:15 a.m. | Focused discussion on: | |
| - Biomedical sensors | ||
| - MicroTAS (total analytic systems) | ||
| - Instrument integration issues | ||
| - Downhole instruments | ||
| - Instrument suite designs | ||
| 11:30 a.m. | Summary issues and recommendations | |
| 12:00 p.m. | Meeting wrap-up (with emphasis on gaps in technology development) | |
| 12:30 p.m. | Adjourn | |
Abstract submissions (listed by Author). You can download the complete
file of all presentations here.
Abstracts Submitted, By Session
Session 1a. Sample access, handling, and planetary protection for in situ analysis and sample return.
The Ultrasonic/Sonic Driller/Corer (USDC) as a Subsurface Drill, Sampler and Lab-on-a-Drill for the Mars Astrobiology Science and Technology, Y. Bar-Cohen, S. Sherrit, X. Bao, Z. Chang, M. Badescu, B. Kennedy, P. Doran, D. Blake, P. Conrad, G. Bearman, and I. Kanik.
(Bar-Cohen2)
Sample Preparation Systems Development for the Microarray Assay for Solar System Exploration (MASSE) Project, M. Potter, K. Showalter, and M.D. Fries
(Potter39)
The Inchworm Deep Drilling System For In Situ Investigations of Martian Subsurface Aquiferous Zones, T. Myrick, S. Frader-Thompson, J. Wilson, and S. Gorevan.
(Powderly11)
A Comprehensive Plan for Drilling in Martian Permafrost in Search of Life, H.D. Smith and C.P. McKay.
(Smith13)
Subsurface Sampling and Sensing using Burrowing Moles, C.R. Stoker, L. Richter, and W.H. Smith.
(Stoker14_A)
Session 1b. Technology demos, ASTEP projects, and flight-ready instrumentation.
Tools for Detection of Phototrophic and Chemosynthetic Microbial Life on Mars, G. Ananyev, T.C. Onstott, and G.C. Dismukes.
(Ananyev)
The Mars Astrobiology Probe: A proposed instrument suite for the 2009
Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), J.L. Bada et al.
(Bada)
The Distribution of Molecular Markers Within Laboratory Grown Evaporite
Minerals, S.A. Bowden, A.D. Wilkins, J.M. Cooper, and J. Parnell.
(Bowden)
Molecular Recognition Sensing Materials within Operational and Mission Environments for Planetary Exploration: Consideration of Stability and Robustness , D. Cullen, O. Henry, S. Piletsky, D. Thompson, N. Bannister, M. Sims, S. Nissen and A. Porter.
(Cullen)
MEMS-based Force-Detected Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer system for Astrobiological Investigations, T. George, K. Son, C. Lee, P. R. Nilsson, R.A. Elgammal, and D.P. Weitekamp.
(George)
Enzyme-Cascade Analysis of the Rio Tinto Subsurface Environment: A Biosensor Development Experiment, K. Lynch, N. Wainwright, A. Child, K. Williams, D. McKay, R. Amils, E. Gonzalez, and C. Stoker
(Lynch)
In-Field Testing of Life Detection Instruments and Protocols in a Mars Analogue Arctic Environment, A. Steele, M. Schweizer, H.E.F. Amundsen, and N. Wainwright
(SteeleA)
Mars Analog Rio Tinto Experiment (MARTE): An experimental demonstration of key technologies for searching for life on Mars, C. Stoker.
(StokerB)
Field Tests of the Mars Oxidant Instrument (MOI), A.P. Zent, R.C. Quinn, F.G. Grunthaner, and P. Ehrenfreund.
(Zent)
Session 2. Targeting in situ analysis, sample selection and context measurements.
Using Wind Driven Tumbleweed Rovers to Explore Martian Gully Features, J. Antol and J.L. Heldmann.
(Antol)
Astrobiological Applications of the Mbari Environmental Sample Processor (ESP), S.M. Feldman, C. Scholin, J. Feldman, S. Jensen, B. Roman, C. Preston, V. Orphan, and J. Dzenitis.
(FeldmanA)
Astrobiological Significance of Definitive Mineralogical Analysis of Martian Surface Samples Using the Chemin XRD/XRF Instrument, S.M. Feldman, D.F. Blake, P. Sarrazin, D.L. Bish, S.J. Chipera, D.T. Vaniman, and S. Collins.
(FeldmanB)
The 2007 Phoenix Mars Scout MECA Wet Chemistry Laboratory, S.P. Kounaves, M.H. Hecht, P. Smith, and the Phoenix Team.
(Kounaves)
Tumbleweed: A Wind-Propelled Survey Vehicle for Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences. K. R. Kuhlman, A. E. Behar, J. A. Jones, F. Carsey, M. Coleman, G. Bearman, M. Buehler, P. J. Boston, C. P. McKay, L. Rothschild, J. Antol, G. A. Hajos, W. C. Kelliher, I. A. Carlsberg, J. P. Keyes, M. Rudisill, R. L. Crawford.
(Kuhlman)
Thermal Properties of Saline Environments: Potential targets for detecting
signatures of past or present life on Mars, S. Scher.
(Scher)
The Compact Micro-Imaging Spectrometer: A New Tool for Astrobiology, R.G.
Sellar and J.C. Armstrong.
(Sellar)
In-Situ Measurements of Ionic Motion Directly in Planetary Soils, S. Seshadri, M.G. Buehler, and R.C. Anderson.
(Seshadri)
Poor Preservation Potential of Organics in Meridiani Planum Unit P2 Sedimentary Rocks, D.Y. Sumner.
(Sumner)
Atmospheric Electron-Induced X-ray Spectrometer (AEXS) Development, J. Z. Wilcox, E. Urgiles, and T. George.
(Wilcox)
Session 3. Microfluidics and biomolecular techniques.
Using Protein-DNA Chimeras to Detect and Count Small Numbers of Molecules, I. Burbulis, K. Yamaguchi, R. Carlson, and R. Brent.
(Brent)
Unit Operations & Application of Microfluidic Systems for Remote Analysis. A.J. deMello and B.M. Stone
(deMello)
Optical Sensors for Biomolecules Using Nanoporous Sol-Gel Materials, J. Fang, J.C. Zhou, E.H. Lan, B. Dunn, P.L. Gillman, and S.M. Smith.
(Fang)
Remote Spectral Imaging of Geologic Formations and Zoetic Residues with Active Excitation Diode Arrays , R.A. Lodder and G.V. Levin.
(Lodder)
Multi-Layer Microfluidic Devices for Amino Acid Biomarker Analysis: The mars organic analyzer, A.M. Skelley, J.R. Scherer, A. Aubrey, P. Ehrenfreund, J.L. Bada, F.J. Grunthaner, and R.A. Mathies.
(Mathies)
Lab on a Chip Application Development for Exploration, L. Monaco, S. Spearing, A. Jenkins, W. Symonds, D. Mayer, E. Gouldie, N. Wainwright, M. Fries, J. Maule, J. Toporski, and A. Steele
(Monaco)
SMILE (Specific Molecular Identification of Life Experiment): A family of molecular recognition sensor instruments for robust detection of life in the solar system , M. Sims and D. Cullen.
(Sims)
Modular Assays for Solar System Exploration, A.Steele, J. Maule, J. Toporski, L. Monaco, S. Spearing, R Avci, M Schweitzer and N. Wainwright
(SteeleB)
Activity of the Enzyme Hydrogenase as a proxy for Hydrogen Metabolism in Deeply buried Sediments, and as a Diagnostic Test for Life, B. Soffientino and A.J. Spivack
(Soffientino)
Feasibility of Enzymatic Assay for ATP as an Indicator of Subterranean Microbial Life on Mars, A.W. Szumlas, F. Andrade, L.M. Pratt, and G.M. Hieftje.
(Szumlas)
Magnetoelectronic Microarray Detection of Magnetically Labeled Biomolecules, C. Tamanaha, C. Cole, S. Mulvaney, J. Rife, and L. Whitman.
(Tamanaha)
Searching for Life on Mars and Beyond: Using fluorescence biological analysis (FBA) to examine the subsurface of Europa for signs of life, L.T. Taylor, T. Gary, L. Myles, O. Prieto-Ballesteros, J. Gómez-Elvira, D. Fernández-Remolar, F. Gómez, V. Parro, and R. Amils.
(Taylor)
Microfluidic Measurement of Microbial Bioburden by Fluorescent LAL Assay , N. Wainwright, N.R. Symonds, W. Nutter, D. Child, A. Lycans, S.N. Monaco, and L. Monaco.
(Wainwright)
Session 4. Other organic-molecule-detection techniques.
Carbon and Silicon Nanowire Chemical Sensors for In Situ Astrobiological Measurements, B. Hunt, M. Bronikowski, A. Fisher, and E. Wong.
(Hunt)
Technical Approaches to Laser Mass Spectrometry at Mars , W. Brinckerhoff, T. Cornish, S. Ecelberger, S. Jaskulek, J. Boldt, and K. Strohbehn.
(Brinckerhoff)
High Resolution Electron-Induced XUV Fluorescence for Life Detection, S. Brotton, J. Ajello, J. Wilcox, and J. Guo.
(Brotton)
Solvent Extraction and chemical derivatization of organic molecules of exobiological interest for in situ analysis of the Martian Regolith, A. Buch, D.P. Glavin, M. Cabane, and P.R. Mahaffy.
(Buch)
Measurement of Microbial Activity in Soil or
Atmospheric Dust by Colorimetric Observation of In Situ Dye Reduction:
An approach to detection of extraterrestrial life, R. Crawford, I. Erwin,
L. Allenbach, and B. Barnes.
(Crawford)
An Investigation into the Efficacy and Bias
of Nucleic Acid Extraction Techniques on Mixed Microbial Populations from
Environmental Matrices, E. Felnagle and A. Steele.
(Felnagle)
Wet Chemistry Experiment at Mars (WetChem), I. Kanik, L.W. Beegle, S. Kounaves, B. Laughlin, R.G. Cooks, M. Hecht, and P.V. Johnson.
(Kanik)
Dielectric Spectroscopy for In Situ Detection of Microbial Life Forms on Mars, D. Warmflash, J.H. Miller, Jr., D.S. McKay, G.E. Fox, and D. Nawarathna.
(Warmflash)
