New Method To Analyze Mars Samples
A group of Japanese scientists have developed a new method to safely analyze samples from Mars by trapping microorganisms in calcium carbonate crystals.
The United States is planning to collect soil from Mars to study past life. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency also plans to bring back samples from Mars' moon Phobos in 2029.
Such samples may contain unknown life forms which could pose a risk of disease on earth.
The new method to avoid that risk was developed by a group led by Associate Professor Suzuki Yohei at the University of Tokyo.
The group says that they used calcium chloride solution to trap model bacterial and viral organisms in calcium carbonate crystals.
The scientists found that the organisms were inactivated within one minute, but extraction and analysis of the their DNA was still possible. Sterilization with heat or chemicals often hampers the process.
The group plans to propose the method for the analysis of Mars samples.
Suzuki says that it is a practical method that will enable both the inactivation and analysis of microorganisms. He added that he hopes to see it become a standard technique in Mars exploration.
