| Design and practices for use of automated drilling and sample handling in MARTE while minimizing terrestrial and cross contamination. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19105753 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Mars Astrobiology Research and Technology Experiment (MARTE) investigators used an automated drill and sample processing hardware to detect and categorize life-forms found in subsurface rock at Río Tinto, Spain. For the science to be successful, it was necessary for the biomass from other sources--whether from previously processed samples (cross contamination) or the terrestrial environment (forward contamination)-to be insignificant. The hardware and practices used in MARTE were designed around this problem. Here, we describe some of the design issues that were faced and classify them into problems that are unique to terrestrial tests versus problems that would also exist for a system that was flown to Mars. Assessment of the biomass at various stages in the sample handling process revealed mixed results; the instrument design seemed to minimize cross contamination, but contamination from the surrounding environment sometimes made its way onto the surface of samples. Techniques used during the MARTE Río Tinto project, such as facing the sample, appear to remove this environmental contamination without introducing significant cross contamination from previous samples. |
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Authors:
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David P Miller; Rosalba Bonaccorsi; Kiel Davis |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Astrobiology Volume: 8 ISSN: 1557-8070 ISO Abbreviation: Astrobiology Publication Date: 2008 Oct |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2008-12-24 Completed Date: 2009-03-20 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101088083 Medline TA: Astrobiology Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 947-65 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA. dpmiller@ou.edu |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adenosine Triphosphate Automation* Environmental Pollutants* Exobiology / instrumentation, methods* Geologic Sediments Luminescent Measurements Mars* Research* Robotics / instrumentation Space Simulation Spacecraft Spain Technology* |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Environmental Pollutants; 56-65-5/Adenosine Triphosphate |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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