Fluorescence microscopic system for detection of microorganisms and organic compounds on Mars

Takeshi Saito; Yukishige Kawasaki; Takeo Kaneko; Kensei Kobayashi; Atsuo Miyakawa

doi:10.1117/12.375073

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30 December 1999 Fluorescence microscopic system for detection of microorganisms and organic compounds on Mars

Takeshi Saito, Yukishige Kawasaki, Takeo Kaneko, Kensei Kobayashi, Atsuo Miyakawa

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Proceedings Volume 3755, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology II; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.375073
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1999, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

A fluorescence microscopic system has been developing in order to detect living microorganisms, the past microorganisms and organic compounds on Mars, Europe and/or in an extreme environmental condition on Earth. Special fluorescent dyes which have affinity for enzymes, nucleic acids or cell membranes, out of a number of fluorescent dyes, have been selected for identifying microorganisms in soil samples on Mars. It is shown that a single microorganism in soil sample as well as a lump of organic matter can be detected by the present method. In order to decide whether the soil samples at the drilling point are qualified to further fluorescent analysis with staining, the reflecting light from the bottom surface of drilling holes will be measured through optical fibers without the use of fluorescent dyes. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or aggregates of bacteria were clearly visualized by measuring the spectrum of the reflecting light without fluorescent dyes.

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Takeshi Saito, Yukishige Kawasaki, Takeo Kaneko, Kensei Kobayashi, and Atsuo Miyakawa "Fluorescence microscopic system for detection of microorganisms and organic compounds on Mars", Proc. SPIE 3755, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology II, (30 December 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.375073

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