A life detection problem in a High Arctic microbial community

Par Conseil national de recherches du Canada

DOI	Trouver le DOI : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2009.06.014
Auteur	Rechercher : Rogers, J. D.; Rechercher : Perreault, N. N.; Rechercher : Niederberger, T. D.; Rechercher : Lichten, C.; Rechercher : Whyte, L. G.; Rechercher : Nadeau, J. L.
Format	Texte, Article
Sujet	High Arctic; cold springs; sulfur oxidizers; biosignature; fluorescence microscopy; FISH
Résumé	Fluorescent labeling of bacterial cell walls, DNA, and metabolic processes demonstrates high (potentially single molecule) sensitivity, is non-invasive, and in some cases can differentiate strains and species. Robust microscopes such as the custom instruments presented here can provide good image quality in the field and are potentially suitable for flight. However, ambiguous or false-positive results with bacterial stains can occur and can create difficulties in interpretation even on Earth. We present a “real” life detection problem in a sample of biofilms taken from the Canadian High Arctic. The samples consisted of numerous small sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and larger structures resembling fungi or diatoms. The identity of these latter structures remained ambiguous until electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy were performed, indicating that they were unusual sulfur minerals probably precipitated by the bacterial communities. While such mineral structures may possibly serve as biosignatures after the cells have disappeared, it is important that they not be mistaken for cells themselves. It is also possible that unusual mineral structures will be performed under extraterrestrial conditions, so great care is needed to differentiate cell structures from minerals.
Date de publication	2009-06-26
Maison d’édition	Elsevier
Dans	Planetary and Space Science 58, nº 4 : 623–630.
Langue	anglais
Publications évaluées par des pairs	Oui
Publication du CNRC	Cette publication n’est pas du CNRC Ce sont des publications qui ont été rédigées par un auteur du CNRC, mais avant que celui-ci soit employé du CNRC.
Numéro NPARC	23001882
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Identificateur de l’enregistrement	3f0c60a5-aeeb-4d90-9cae-1cd03fbadc84
Enregistrement créé	2017-05-05
Enregistrement modifié	2020-04-16

Date de modification :: 2024-04-19