A5001929820- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Advanced Chemical Sensor Technologies
- Scientific Computing and Data Management
- Microfluidic and Capillary Electrophoresis Applications
- Innovative Microfluidic and Catalytic Techniques Innovation
- Cryospheric studies and observations
McGill University
2020-2023
On November 5–8, 2019, the "Mars Extant Life: What's Next?" conference was convened in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The gathered a community of actively publishing experts disciplines related to habitability and astrobiology. Primary conclusions are as follows: A significant subset attendees concluded that there is realistic possibility Mars hosts indigenous microbial life. powerful theme permeated key search for martian extant life lies identifying exploring refugia ("oases"), where conditions...
Martian lava tube caves resulting from a time when the planet was still volcanically active are proposed to contain deposits of water ice, feature that may increase microbial habitability. In this study, we taxonomically characterized and directly measured metabolic activity communities inhabit ice Lava Beds National Monument, an analogue environment martian tubes. We investigated whether habitable microorganisms by determining their taxonomic diversity, activity, viability using both...
With no direct extant-life detection instrumentation included in a space mission since the 1970s, advancement of new technologies to be future missions is imperative. We developed, optimized, and tested semi-automated prototype, microfluidics Microbial Activity MicroAssay (μMAMA). This system metabolically characterizes detects extant microbial life by way metabolism-indicator redox dyes. first evaluated robustness sensitivity six dye/buffer combinations, we then their responses metabolic...
Glaciers, once dismissed as inhospitable environments, have been overlooked in scientific investigations. Previous studies primarily focused on the supraglacial (cryoconite holes, snow, and meltwater) subglacial (bedrock soils, among others) neglecting englacial (inside ice) realm. Despite evidence demonstrating survival of cells glacial/sea ice (Christner 2000, Junge et al. 2002, Miteva 2004, Brenchley 2005) theoretical predictions indirect hinting at active microbial communities within...
<p>Detecting unquestionable signatures of biological activity in extra-terrestrial Solar System bodies is one the most challenging objectives Astrobiology. Discerning if these have been generated by extinct or actual extant organisms would also be principal interest. While latest exploration missions to Mars launched on 2020 (<em>i.e.</em> NASA’s 2020) being near future (ESA’s ExoMars) carry instruments - Raman...