Development of the MASSE instrument: immunoassay detection of organic compounds in soil and Mars regolith simulant

摘要

The Microarray Assay for Solar System Exploration (MASSE) is based on the use of immunological reactions to detect chemical compounds in samples of extraterrestrial material. In order for this technology to be useful for in situ studies on any given planet, molecules present within the material examined must be extracted and recognizable to the antibodies used in the assays. Experiments are currently being conducted on the immunological detection of agents in environmental samples, including soils and JSC Mars - 1 Martian regolith simulant and progress to date is discussed in the context of the development of the MASSE instrument.