Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Oct 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010dps....42.4822m&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #42, #48.22
Mathematics
Logic
Scientific paper
Amino acids, as the building blocks of proteins, are essential molecules for life on Earth. Terrestrial organisms synthesize and utilize almost exclusively L amino acids. However, amino acids can also be also synthesized by non-biological means. In order to determine the origin of an amino acid mixture it is necessary to analyze the D/L ratio. Under abiotic conditions, amino acids are made as racemic mixtures while in biological systems one chiral form prevails over the other. This characteristic of amino acids makes them the preferred biomarkers in the search for extraterrestrial life in Mars. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a popular technique that has been widely used for the analysis of amino acids. Capillary electrophoresis provides highly efficient separations with short analysis times and minimum sample consumption. In addition, CE can be miniaturized to portable devices (Lab-on-a-chip) that allow us to take the lab to the sample. These characteristics make CE an ideal technique for space exploration applications. In this regard, we have developed a lab-on-a-chip system capable of performing automated labeling, mixing, dilution, and analysis of amino acids by capillary electrophoresis and fluorescence detection. This device allows nanomolar detection of amino acids in aqueous samples. In addition, we are also testing monolithic columns packed inside microfluidic channels to perform chiral separations on amino acids by capillary electrochromatography (CEC). CEC is a hybrid technique combining the best aspects of liquid chromatography (LC) and capillary electrophoresis. These columns will later be incorporated into the automated device to perform a complete analysis of Mars analogue samples.
Bryant Scott
Fisher Andrew
Greer Frank
Mora Maria
Willis Paulette
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