Mars Immunoassay Life Detection Instrument (MILDI)

The direct detection of organic biomarkers for living or fossil microbes on Mars by an in situ instrument is a worthy goal for future lander missions. We have proposed an instrument based on immunological reactions to specific antibodies to cause activation of fluorescent stains. Antibodies are raised or acquired to a variety of general and specific substances that might be in Mars soil. These antibodies are then combined with various fluorescent stains and applied to small numbered spots on a small (two to three centimeters) test plate where they become firmly attached after drying. On Mars, a sample of soil from a trench or drill core is extracted with water and/or an organic solvent that is then applied to the test plate. Any substance, which has an antibody on the test plate, will react with its antibody and activate its fluorescent stain. A small ultraviolet light source will illuminate the test plate, which is observed with a small CCD camera. The numbered spots that fluoresce indicate the presence of the tested-for substance, and the intensity indicates relative amounts. The entire instrument can be quite small and light, on the order of ten cm in each dimension. A possible choice for light source may be small UV lasers at several wavelengths. Up to 1000 different sample spots can be placed on a plate 3 cm on a side, but a more practical number might be 100. Each antibody can have a redundant position for independent verification of reaction. Some of the wells or spots can contain simply standard fluorescent stains used to detect live cells, dead cells, DNA, etc. These the stains in these spots may be directly activated; no antibodies are necessary.