Microbial Characterization of Arctic Glacial Ice Cores with a Semiautomated Life Detection System

• Published in: Astrobiology
• Main Authors: Touchette, David, Maggiori, Catherine, Altshuler, Ianina, Tettenborn, Alex, Bourdages, Louis-Jacques, Magnuson, Elisse, Blenner-Hassett, Olivia, Raymond-Bouchard, Isabelle, Ellery, Alex, Whyte, Lyle. G. G.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: New Rochelle, MARY ANN LIEBERT, INC 2023
• Subjects: Arctic; Axel Heiberg Island; Heiberg; White Glacier
• Online Access: http://infoscience.epfl.ch/record/302751; https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2022.0130

The search for extant microbial life will be a major focus of future astrobiology missions; however, no direct extant life detection instrumentation is included in current missions to Mars. In this study, we developed the semiautomated MicroLife detection platform that collects and processes environmental samples, detects biosignatures, and characterizes microbial activity. This platform is composed of a drill for sample collection, a redox dye colorimetric system for microbial metabolic activity detection and assessment (mMAMA [microfluidics Microbial Activity MicroAssay]), and a MinION sequencer for biosignature detection and characterization of microbial communities. The MicroLife platform was field-tested on White Glacier on Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian high Arctic, with two extracted ice cores. The mMAMA successfully detected microbial metabolism from the ice cores within 1 day of incubation. The MinION sequencing of the ice cores and the positive mMAMA card identified a microbial community consistent with cold and oligotrophic environments. Furthermore, isolation and identification of microbial isolates from the mMAMA card corroborated the MinION sequencing. Together, these analyses support the MicroLife platform's efficacy in identifying microbes natively present in cryoenvironments and detecting their metabolic activity. Given our MicroLife platform's size and low energy requirements, it could be incorporated into a future landed platform or rovers for life detection. Key Words: Life detection-Automation-Drilling-MinION-mMAMA-Glaciers-CryoenvironmentsAstrobiology. Astrobiology 23, xxx-xxx.