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JSC Astrobiology Institute
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Astrobiology at the Johnson Space Center

Purpose
Through research on ancient rocks, modern hot springs, and Mars meteorites, the Institute is dedicated to identifying specific properties of a rock, soil, or other samples which indicate that biological activity is occurring or has occurred.

Research Highlights
Search for Evidence of Biomarkers in Meteorites from Mars
The team demonstrated that a significant percentage of magnetite crystals in ALH84001 are structurally and chemically identical to magnetites produced only by bacteria.


The bacteria-like forms in Nakhla are the focus of intense research.

 
Initial research produced intriguing indications of possible microfossils in two additional martian meteorites, Nakhla and Shergotty.
 
Laboratory experiments reproduced key crystallographic and textural features of martian meteorites to assess the interdependence of these features with microorganisms.

Magnetites from ALH84001 show striking similarities to biogenic magnetites on Earth.

 







The team also established that gamma radiation can effectively sterilize returned Mars samples without altering their isotopic signatures, elemental compositions, or crystal structures.
 


 
 
 
 
 

Documentation of Terrestrial Biomarkers


Biofilm is a ubiquitous and easily fossilized biomarker.

 
A published paper documented the fossilization of bacteria, cell fragments, and biofilms in deep subsurface basalt flows.  Additional research has proved that biofilms on rock surfaces are rapidly mineralized and can be preserved for billions of years.  We are completing a study to document physical biomarkers which reveal evidence of life in carbonate hot springs. 

Primitive thermophiles from hot springs are yielding important data about life in extreme environments.

 





We initiated the first dedicated Astrobiology session at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, with presentations by eight of our Co-I programs.

  
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