A life detection problem in a High Arctic microbial community
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 qu...
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Elsevier
2009
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2009.06.014 https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=3f0c60a5-aeeb-4d90-9cae-1cd03fbadc84 https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/fra/voir/objet/?id=3f0c60a5-aeeb-4d90-9cae-1cd03fbadc84 |
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ftnrccanada:oai:cisti-icist.nrc-cnrc.ca:cistinparc:23001882 2023-05-15T14:51:40+02:00 A life detection problem in a High Arctic microbial community Rogers, J. D. Perreault, N. N. Niederberger, T. D. Lichten, C. Whyte, L. G. Nadeau, J. L. 2009-06-26 text https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2009.06.014 https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=3f0c60a5-aeeb-4d90-9cae-1cd03fbadc84 https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/fra/voir/objet/?id=3f0c60a5-aeeb-4d90-9cae-1cd03fbadc84 eng eng Elsevier issn:0032-0633 Planetary and Space Science, Volume: 58, Issue: 4, Publication date: 2009-06-26, Pages: 623–630 doi:10.1016/j.pss.2009.06.014 High Arctic cold springs sulfur oxidizers biosignature fluorescence microscopy FISH article 2009 ftnrccanada https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2009.06.014 2021-09-01T06:23:26Z 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. Peer reviewed: Yes NRC publication: No Article in Journal/Newspaper Arctic National Research Council Canada: NRC Publications Archive Arctic Planetary and Space Science 58 4 623 630 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
National Research Council Canada: NRC Publications Archive |
op_collection_id |
ftnrccanada |
language |
English |
topic |
High Arctic cold springs sulfur oxidizers biosignature fluorescence microscopy FISH |
spellingShingle |
High Arctic cold springs sulfur oxidizers biosignature fluorescence microscopy FISH Rogers, J. D. Perreault, N. N. Niederberger, T. D. Lichten, C. Whyte, L. G. Nadeau, J. L. A life detection problem in a High Arctic microbial community |
topic_facet |
High Arctic cold springs sulfur oxidizers biosignature fluorescence microscopy FISH |
description |
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. Peer reviewed: Yes NRC publication: No |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Rogers, J. D. Perreault, N. N. Niederberger, T. D. Lichten, C. Whyte, L. G. Nadeau, J. L. |
author_facet |
Rogers, J. D. Perreault, N. N. Niederberger, T. D. Lichten, C. Whyte, L. G. Nadeau, J. L. |
author_sort |
Rogers, J. D. |
title |
A life detection problem in a High Arctic microbial community |
title_short |
A life detection problem in a High Arctic microbial community |
title_full |
A life detection problem in a High Arctic microbial community |
title_fullStr |
A life detection problem in a High Arctic microbial community |
title_full_unstemmed |
A life detection problem in a High Arctic microbial community |
title_sort |
life detection problem in a high arctic microbial community |
publisher |
Elsevier |
publishDate |
2009 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2009.06.014 https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=3f0c60a5-aeeb-4d90-9cae-1cd03fbadc84 https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/fra/voir/objet/?id=3f0c60a5-aeeb-4d90-9cae-1cd03fbadc84 |
geographic |
Arctic |
geographic_facet |
Arctic |
genre |
Arctic |
genre_facet |
Arctic |
op_relation |
issn:0032-0633 Planetary and Space Science, Volume: 58, Issue: 4, Publication date: 2009-06-26, Pages: 623–630 doi:10.1016/j.pss.2009.06.014 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2009.06.014 |
container_title |
Planetary and Space Science |
container_volume |
58 |
container_issue |
4 |
container_start_page |
623 |
op_container_end_page |
630 |
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1766322794056908800 |