, 2008). Ultra-high sensitivity to primary amines is achieved after a two-stage extraction using sub-critical water (SCWE) and sublimation (MOD) followed by quantification of fluorescent derivatives after separation of target compounds via μ-capillary electrophoresis. Using these methods, parts-per-trillion (pptr) sensitivity is achieved (103 cells/g) and can be correlated to the presence of oxidants within the Martian regolith using the Mars Oxidant

Instrument (MOI). The biomolecules targeted by Urey include amino acids, nucleobases, and amine degradation products that may be present due to extinct or extant biological activity. Measurements of amino acid chirality provide a method to discriminate between abiotic and biological molecules, as L-enantiomer dominated

amino acid compositions are recognized as definitive biosignatures (Kvenvolden, BI 6727 mw 1973). Instruments such as Urey for in situ Mars exploration must be thoroughly tested using relevant terrestrial samples representative of Mars environments with respect to geochemistry, mineralogy, and concentrations of target bioorganic compounds. The Astrobiology Sample Analysis Program (ASAP) showed the scientific ramifications of instruments working in parallel to well characterize a subset www.selleckchem.com/products/AZD1152-HQPA.html of Mars analog samples by various flight instruments (Glavin et al., 2008). ASAP represents the conception of an inclusive sample library that can be used as a testbed for in situ instrumentation for future Mars exploration. Martian analog samples can be selected based on a wide range of physical and chemical criteria (Marlow et al., 2008), so it is important that a set of analog samples be designated

specifically for life detection missions. This library must contain terrestrial environmental samples analogous not only to the soil and rock chemistries detected in situ by the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER), but also to the mineralogical classes remotely sensed by orbiting spacecraft Calpain instrumentation (OMEGA, CRISM), such as sulfates and phyllosilicates. Most importantly, this group of samples must include organic matter representing various diagenetic states that range from extant microbial communities to heavily degraded organic compounds. The viability of Mars life detection instrumentation must be evaluated based on the ability to characterize biomarkers that provide unequivocal evidence of life within these Mars analog samples with respect to sensitivity, mineralogy, and diagenetic states of organic compounds. As mission landing sites are often selected only months before launch, it is important that flight instruments demonstrate their function on a wide range of Mars analog geological samples for the purposes of instrument development, calibration, data acquisition, and interpretation.