Download Dr. Peter Willis Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory at California Institute

Dr. Peter Willis
Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory at California Institute
"Microfluidic Chemical Analysis for Astrobiology Investigations
on Spaceflight Missions of Exploration"
Abstract
Microfluidic chemical analysis can be used to acquire data essential in the search for life
or habitability on extraterrestrial targets during robotic missions of exploration. To
address this need, at JPL we are developing MILA, the Microfluidic Life Analyzer, under a
newly initiated planetary instrument development effort funded under the NASAPICASSO Program. MILA focuses on the analysis of organic acids using microfluidic
technology. Measurements of chiral amino acid distributions in samples encountered
during in situ missions would inform us of not only the prebiological potential of those
environments, but also would provide powerful evidence for the existence of life,
should a chiral signature be found. By measuring the carboxylic acid content and carbon
chain length distributions over a wide length range (1-30 atoms), MILA could search for
signatures highly suggestive of lipids or other biological structures. In this talk I will
summarize the current status of this technology as well as ongoing research and
development activities at JPL.