Biography
Biography: Marek Tulej
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: The suitable analytical instrumentation for searches of the past and/or present life on the other planetary surfaces which could be placed aboard lander or rover is a subject of considerable current interest in space research. In this respect, a combination of laser mass spectrometry and optical microscopy has a great potential to full-fill requirements for the bio signature detection. Such instrumentation combining high resolution imaging
with very sensitive chemical analysis of planetary materials can be used for the analysis of grain size objects with the sizes close to one micrometre. The microbial life forms with these methods can be readily identified. We developed prototypes of space instrumentation which now is used for searches of life forms in rocks or in ice surface. Our near future activities are focused on fitting such an instrument into the stringent requirements of a space mission regarding mass, power, volume and autonomous operations. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The current experimental studies are conducted on fossilized life forms of various ages embedded in mineralogical phase. We use the microscope to conduct morphological and spectral analyses on the rock surfaces surface. The chemical analysis (elemental, isotope and molecular) are conducted using laser mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry yields detection of bio-relevant elements and from the measurement of isotope ratios one can gain conclusions on a biotic or abiotic isotope fractionation mechanism. The matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI) complement the studies delivering clues of presence of organic or bio-organic molecules. The optical and chemical analyses define bio-signature and have potential to deliver strong evidences on the presence or absence of past or present life on the planetary surfaces.