1
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Xu Z, Liu G, Gao L, Xu D, Wan H, Dai X, Zhang X, Tao L, Yan LT. Configurational Entropy-Enabled Thermostability of Cell Membranes in Extremophiles: From Molecular Mechanism to Bioinspired Design. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:1109-1118. [PMID: 36716197 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c04939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Understanding physicochemical interactions and mechanisms related to the cell membranes of lives under extreme conditions is of essential importance but remains scarcely explored. Here, using a combination of computer simulations and experiments, we demonstrate that the structural integrity and controllable permeability of cell membranes at high temperatures are predominantly directed by configurational entropy emerging from distorted intermolecular organization of bipolar tethered lipids peculiar to the extremophiles. Detailed simulations across multiple scales─from an all-atom exploration of molecular mechanism to a mesoscale examination of its universal nature─suggest that this configurational entropy effect can be generalized to diverse systems, such as block copolymers. This offers biomimetic inspiration for designing heat-tolerant materials based on entropy, as validated by our experiments of synthetic polymers. The findings provide new insight into the basic nature of the mechanism underlying the adaptation of organisms to extreme conditions and might open paths for designed materials inspired by entropic effects in biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Guoqiang Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lijuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Duo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Haixiao Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaobin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xuanyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lei Tao
- The Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Li-Tang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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2
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Moulay V, Freissinet C, Rizk-Bigourd M, Buch A, Ancelin M, Couturier E, Breton C, Trainer MG, Szopa C. Selection and Analytical Performances of the Dragonfly Mass Spectrometer Gas Chromatographic Columns to Support the Search for Organic Molecules of Astrobiological Interest on Titan. ASTROBIOLOGY 2023; 23:213-229. [PMID: 36577024 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2022.0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Titan is a key planetary body for astrobiology, with the presence of a subsurface ocean and a dense atmosphere, in which complex chemistry is known to occur. Approximately 1-Titan-year after the Cassini-Huygens mission arrived in the saturnian system, Dragonfly rotorcraft will land on Titan's surface by 2034 for an exhaustive geophysical and chemical investigation of the Shangri-La organic sand sea region. Among the four instruments onboard Dragonfly, the Dragonfly Mass Spectrometer (DraMS) is dedicated to analyze the chemical composition of surface samples and noble gases in the atmosphere. One of the DraMS analysis modes, the Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS), is devoted to the detection and identification of organic molecules that could be involved in the development of a prebiotic chemistry or even representative of traces of past or present life. Therefore, DraMS-GC subsystem should be optimized to detect and identify relevant organic compounds to meet this objective. This work is focused on the experimental methods employed to select the chromatographic column to be integrated in DraMS-GC, to assess the analytical performances of the column selected, and also to assess the performances of the second DraMS-GC column, which is devoted to the separation of organic enantiomers. Four different stationary phases have been tested to select the most relevant one for the separation of the targeted chemical species. The results show that the stationary phase composed of polymethyl (95%) diphenyl (5%) siloxane is the best compromise in terms of efficiency, robustness, and retention times of the molecules. The combination of the general and the chiral columns in DraMS is perfectly suited to in situ chemical analysis on Titan and for the detection of expected diverse and complex organic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Moulay
- LATMOS/IPSL, UVSQ Université Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Guyancourt, France
| | - Caroline Freissinet
- LATMOS/IPSL, UVSQ Université Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Guyancourt, France
| | - Malak Rizk-Bigourd
- LATMOS/IPSL, UVSQ Université Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Guyancourt, France
| | - Arnaud Buch
- Laboratoire Génie des Procédés et Matériaux, CentraleSupelec, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Mayline Ancelin
- LATMOS/IPSL, UVSQ Université Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Guyancourt, France
| | - Elise Couturier
- LATMOS/IPSL, UVSQ Université Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Guyancourt, France
| | - Caroline Breton
- LATMOS/IPSL, UVSQ Université Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Guyancourt, France
| | - Melissa G Trainer
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | - Cyril Szopa
- LATMOS/IPSL, UVSQ Université Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Guyancourt, France
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3
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Liang P, de Aragão EVF, Pannacci G, Vanuzzo G, Giustini A, Marchione D, Recio P, Ferlin F, Stranges D, Lago NF, Rosi M, Casavecchia P, Balucani N. Reactions O( 3P, 1D) + HCCCN(X 1Σ +) (Cyanoacetylene): Crossed-Beam and Theoretical Studies and Implications for the Chemistry of Extraterrestrial Environments. J Phys Chem A 2023; 127:685-703. [PMID: 36638186 PMCID: PMC9884085 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.2c07708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Cyanoacetylene (HCCCN), the first member of the cyanopolyyne family (HCnN, where n = 3, 5, 7, ...), is of particular interest in astrochemistry being ubiquitous in space (molecular clouds, solar-type protostars, protoplanetary disks, circumstellar envelopes, and external galaxies) and also relatively abundant. It is also abundant in the upper atmosphere of Titan and comets. Since oxygen is the third most abundant element in space, after hydrogen and helium, the reaction O + HCCCN can be of relevance in the chemistry of extraterrestrial environments. Despite that, scarce information exists not only on the reactions of oxygen atoms with cyanoacetylene but with nitriles in general. Here, we report on a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the reactions of cyanoacetylene with both ground 3P and excited 1D atomic oxygen and provide detailed information on the primary reaction products, their branching fractions (BFs), and the overall reaction mechanisms. More specifically, the reactions of O(3P, 1D) with HCCCN(X1Σ+) have been investigated under single-collision conditions by the crossed molecular beams scattering method with mass spectrometric detection and time-of-flight analysis at the collision energy, Ec, of 31.1 kJ/mol. From product angular and time-of-flight distributions, we have identified the primary reaction products and determined their branching fractions (BFs). Theoretical calculations of the relevant triplet and singlet potential energy surfaces (PESs) were performed to assist the interpretation of the experimental results and clarify the reaction mechanism. Adiabatic statistical calculations of product BFs for the decomposition of the main triplet and singlet intermediates have also been carried out. Merging together the experimental and theoretical results, we conclude that the O(3P) reaction is characterized by a minor adiabatic channel leading to OCCCN (cyanoketyl) + H (experimental BF = 0.10 ± 0.05), while the dominant channel (BF = 0.90 ± 0.05) occurs via intersystem crossing to the underlying singlet PES and leads to formation of 1HCCN (cyanomethylene) + CO. The O(1D) reaction is characterized by the same two channels, with the relative CO/H yield being slightly larger. Considering the recorded reactive signal and the calculated entrance barrier, we estimate that the rate coefficient for reaction O(3P) + HC3N at 300 K is in the 10-12 cm3 molec-1 s-1 range. Our results are expected to be useful to improve astrochemical and photochemical models. In addition, they are also relevant in combustion chemistry, because the thermal decomposition of pyrrolic and pyridinic structures present in fuel-bound nitrogen generates many nitrogen-bearing compounds, including cyanoacetylene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxiao Liang
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Emilia V. F. de Aragão
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy,Master-Tec
srl, Via Sicilia 41, Perugia 06128, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pannacci
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Vanuzzo
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Andrea Giustini
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Demian Marchione
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Pedro Recio
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferlin
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Domenico Stranges
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Università degli Studi
La Sapienza, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Noelia Faginas Lago
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Marzio Rosi
- Dipartimento
di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Piergiorgio Casavecchia
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy,E-mail:
| | - Nadia Balucani
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy,E-mail:
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4
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Schulz A, Surkau J. Main group cyanides: from hydrogen cyanide to cyanido-complexes. REV INORG CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/revic-2021-0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Homoleptic cyanide compounds exist of almost all main group elements. While the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals form cyanide salts, the cyanides of the lighter main group elements occur mainly as covalent compounds. This review gives an overview of the status quo of main group element cyanides and cyanido complexes. Information about syntheses are included as well as applications, special substance properties, bond lengths, spectroscopic characteristics and computations. Cyanide chemistry is presented mainly from the field of inorganic chemistry, but aspects of chemical biology and astrophysics are also discussed in relation to cyano compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Schulz
- Chemie , Universität Rostock , Albert-Einstein-Straße 3a, 18059 Rostock , Mecklenburg-Vorpommern , Germany
| | - Jonas Surkau
- Chemie , Universität Rostock , Albert-Einstein-Straße 3a, 18059 Rostock , Mecklenburg-Vorpommern , Germany
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5
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Vanuzzo G, Marchione D, Mancini L, Liang P, Pannacci G, Recio P, Tan Y, Rosi M, Skouteris D, Casavecchia P, Balucani N. The N( 2D) + CH 2CHCN (Vinyl Cyanide) Reaction: A Combined Crossed Molecular Beam and Theoretical Study and Implications for the Atmosphere of Titan. J Phys Chem A 2022; 126:6110-6123. [PMID: 36053010 PMCID: PMC9483977 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.2c04263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The reaction of electronically excited nitrogen atoms,
N(2D), with vinyl cyanide, CH2CHCN, has been
investigated
under single-collision conditions by the crossed molecular beam (CMB)
scattering method with mass spectrometric detection and time-of-flight
(TOF) analysis at the collision energy, Ec, of 31.4 kJ/mol. Synergistic electronic structure calculations of
the doublet potential energy surface (PES) have been performed to
assist in the interpretation of the experimental results and characterize
the overall reaction micromechanism. Statistical (Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus,
RRKM) calculations of product branching fractions (BFs) on the theoretical
PES have been carried out at different values of temperature, including
the one corresponding to the temperature (175 K) of Titan’s
stratosphere and at a total energy corresponding to the Ec of the CMB experiment. According to our theoretical
calculations, the reaction is found to proceed via barrierless addition
of N(2D) to the carbon–carbon double bond of CH2=CH–CN, followed by the formation of cyclic
and linear intermediates that can undergo H, CN, and HCN elimination.
In competition, the N(2D) addition to the CN group is also
possible via a submerged barrier, leading ultimately to N2 + C3H3 formation, the most exothermic of all
possible channels. Product angular and TOF distributions have been
recorded for the H-displacement channels leading to the formation
of a variety of possible C3H2N2 isomeric
products. Experimentally, no evidence of CN, HCN, and N2 forming channels was observed. These findings were corroborated
by the theory, which predicts a variety of competing product channels,
following N(2D) addition to the double bond, with the main
ones, at Ec = 31.4 kJ/mol, being six isomeric
H forming channels: c-CH(N)CHCN + H (BF = 35.0%), c-CHNCHCN + H (BF = 28.1%), CH2NCCN + H (BF =
26.3%), c-CH2(N)CCN(cyano-azirine) + H
(BF = 7.4%), trans-HNCCHCN + H (BF = 1.6%), and cis-HNCCHCN + H (BF = 1.3%), while C–C bond breaking
channels leading to c-CH2(N)CH(2H-azirine)
+ CN and c-CH2(N)C + HCN are predicted
to be negligible (0.02% and 0.2%, respectively). The highly exothermic
N2 + CH2CCH (propargyl) channel is also predicted
to be negligible because of the very high isomerization barrier from
the initial addition intermediate to the precursor intermediate able
to lead to products. The predicted product BFs are found to have,
in general, a very weak energy dependence. The above cyclic and linear
products containing an additional C–N bond could be potential
precursors of more complex, N-rich organic molecules that contribute
to the formation of the aerosols on Titan’s upper atmosphere.
Overall, the results are expected to have a significant impact on
the gas-phase chemistry of Titan’s atmosphere and should be
properly included in the photochemical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Vanuzzo
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Demian Marchione
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Luca Mancini
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Pengxiao Liang
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pannacci
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Pedro Recio
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Yuxin Tan
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Marzio Rosi
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Piergiorgio Casavecchia
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Nadia Balucani
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
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6
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Semiempirical Potential in Kinetics Calculations on the HC3N + CN Reaction. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27072297. [PMID: 35408696 PMCID: PMC9000235 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The reaction between the cyano radical CN and cyanoacetylene molecule HC3N is of great interest in different astronomical fields, from star-forming regions to planetary atmospheres. In this work, we present a new synergistic theoretical approach for the derivation of the rate coefficient for gas phase neutral-neutral reactions. Statistic RRKM calculations on the Potential Energy Surface are coupled with a semiempirical analysis of the initial bimolecular interaction. The value of the rate coefficient for the HC3N + CN → H + NCCCCN reaction obtained with this method is compared with previous theoretical and experimental investigations, showing strengths and weaknesses of the new presented approach.
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7
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Mancini L, Vanuzzo G, Marchione D, Pannacci G, Liang P, Recio P, Rosi M, Skouteris D, Casavecchia P, Balucani N. The Reaction N( 2D) + CH 3CCH (Methylacetylene): A Combined Crossed Molecular Beams and Theoretical Investigation and Implications for the Atmosphere of Titan. J Phys Chem A 2021; 125:8846-8859. [PMID: 34609869 PMCID: PMC8521525 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.1c06537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The reaction of excited
nitrogen atoms N(2D) with CH3CCH (methylacetylene)
was investigated under single-collision
conditions by the crossed molecular beams (CMB) scattering method
with mass spectrometric detection and time-of-flight analysis at the
collision energy (Ec) of 31.0 kJ/mol.
Synergistic electronic structure calculations of the doublet potential
energy surface (PES) were performed to assist the interpretation of
the experimental results and characterize the overall reaction micromechanism.
Theoretically, the reaction is found to proceed via a barrierless addition of N(2D) to the carbon–carbon
triple bond of CH3CCH and an insertion of N(2D) into the CH bond of the methyl group, followed
by the formation of cyclic and linear intermediates that can undergo
H, CH3, and C2H elimination or isomerize to
other intermediates before unimolecularly decaying to a variety of
products. Kinetic calculations for addition and insertion mechanisms
and statistical (Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus) computations of product
branching fractions (BFs) on the theoretical PES were performed at
different values of total energy, including the one corresponding
to the temperature (175 K) of Titan’s stratosphere and that
of the CMB experiment. Up to 14 competing product channels were statistically
predicted, with the main ones, at Ec =
31.0 kJ/mol, being the formation of CH2NH (methanimine)
+ C2H (ethylidyne) (BF = 0.41), c-C(N)CH
+ CH3 (BF = 0.32), CH2CHCN (acrylonitrile) +
H (BF = 0.12), and c-CH2C(N)CH + H (BF
= 0.04). Of the 14 possible channels, seven correspond to H displacement
channels of different exothermicity, for a total H channel BF of ∼0.25
at Ec = 31.0 kJ/mol. Experimentally, dynamical
information could only be obtained about the overall H channels. In
particular, the experiment corroborates the formation of acrylonitrile
+ H, which is the most exothermic of all 14 reaction channels and
is theoretically calculated to be the dominant H-forming channel (BF
= 0.12). The products containing a novel C–N bond could be
potential precursors to form other nitriles (C2N2, C3N) or more complex organic species containing N atoms
in planetary atmospheres, such as those of Titan and Pluto. Overall,
the results are expected to have a potentially significant impact
on the understanding of the gas-phase chemistry of Titan’s
atmosphere and the modeling of that atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Mancini
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Vanuzzo
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Demian Marchione
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pannacci
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Pengxiao Liang
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Pedro Recio
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Marzio Rosi
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Piergiorgio Casavecchia
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Nadia Balucani
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
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8
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Vazquez T, Vuppala S, Ayodeji I, Song L, Grimes N, Evans-Nguyen T. IN SITU MASS SPECTROMETERS FOR APPLICATIONS IN SPACE. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2021; 40:670-691. [PMID: 32949473 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry (MS) has played a remarkable role in exploring the chemical make-up of our solar system. In situ probes were historically developed to analyze inorganic/elemental compositions while leveraging native ions or harsh ionization methods to aid in exploring astrophysics applications (e.g., heliophysics). The part played by MS is demonstrated in a majority of scientific payloads focused on exploration, particularly at the turn of the century with missions including Cassini-Huygens, Rosetta, and now Mars Science Laboratory. Plasma mass spectrometers have grown more sophisticated to interrogate fundamental inorganic analysis (e.g., solar wind and magnetospheres) including both native ions and neutrals. Cosmic dust floating in-between and orbiting planetary bodies has been targeted by unique sampling via impact ionization. More complex systems rely on landed planetary instrumentation with lessons learned from pioneering missions in the 1970s and 1980s to near neighbors Mars and Venus. Modern probes have expanded applicable target chemicals by recognizing the needs to provide for molecular analyses, extended mass range, and high resolution to provide unequivocal detection and identification. Notably, as the field surrounding astrobiology has gained momentum, so has the in situ detection of complex molecular chemistry including the chemical evolution of organic molecules. Mission context often includes long term timelines from spacecraft launch to arrival and additionally the diverse target environments across various planets. Therefore, customized experimental designs for space MS have been born of necessity. To this point, the development of MS instrumentation on Earth has now far outpaced development for experiments in space. Therefore, exciting developments lie ahead among various international space agencies conducting current and future mission planning with increasingly enhanced instrumentation. For instance, near-neighbor Mars has entertained considerable attention with complex MS instrumentation with laser desorption ionization aboard the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer instrument. To study comets, the Rosetta mission employs a secondary ionization mechanism. Meanwhile, the various moons of Jupiter and Saturn have intriguing surface and subsurface properties that warrant more advanced analyzer systems. Instrumentation design will continue to evolve as requirements develop and this review serves as a reflection of the contribution of in situ MS to space exploration in the past 20 years and the anticipated contribution yet to come. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Mass Spec Rev.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Vazquez
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Sinduri Vuppala
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | | | - Linxia Song
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Nathan Grimes
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
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9
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Liang P, Mancini L, Marchione D, Vanuzzo G, Ferlin F, Recio P, Tan Y, Pannacci G, Vaccaro L, Rosi M, Casavecchia P, Balucani N. Combined crossed molecular beams and computational study on the N( 2D) + HCCCN(X 1Σ +) reaction and implications for extra-terrestrial environments. Mol Phys 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00268976.2021.1948126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pengxiao Liang
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Luca Mancini
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Demian Marchione
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Vanuzzo
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferlin
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Pedro Recio
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Yuxin Tan
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- ERASMUS+ Visiting Ph.D. student from Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Department of Chemical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Giacomo Pannacci
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Luigi Vaccaro
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marzio Rosi
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Piergiorgio Casavecchia
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Nadia Balucani
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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10
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YOSHIMURA Y, ENYA K, KOBAYASHI K, SASAKI S, YAMAGISHI A. Life Explorations for Biosignatures in Space. BUNSEKI KAGAKU 2021. [DOI: 10.2116/bunsekikagaku.70.309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitaka YOSHIMURA
- Department of Advanced Food Sciences, College of Agriculture, Tamagawa University
| | - Keigo ENYA
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
| | - Kensei KOBAYASHI
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Yokohama National University
| | - Satoshi SASAKI
- School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Technology
| | - Akihiko YAMAGISHI
- Department of Applied Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences
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11
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Abstract
Titan’s haze is strongly suspected to be an HCN-derived polymer, but despite the first in situ measurements by the ESA-Huygens space probe, its chemical composition and formation process remain largely unknown. To investigate this question, we simulated the atmospheric haze formation process, experimentally. We synthesized analogues of Titan’s haze, named Titan tholins, in an irradiated N2–CH4 gas mixture, mimicking Titan’s upper atmosphere chemistry. HCN was monitored in situ in the gas phase simultaneously with the formation and evolution of the haze particles. We show that HCN is produced as long as the particles are absent, and is then progressively consumed when the particles appear and grow. This work highlights HCN as an effective precursor of Titan’s haze and confirms the HCN-derived polymer nature of the haze.
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12
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Hechenberger F, Kollotzek S, Ballauf L, Duensing F, Ončák M, Herman Z, Scheier P. Formation of HCN + in collisions of N + and N 2+ with a self-assembled propanethiol surface on gold. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:7777-7782. [PMID: 33015698 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp04164e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Collisions of N+ and N2+ with C3 hydrocarbons, represented by a self assembled monolayer of propanethiol on a polcrystalline gold surface, were investigated by experiments over the incident energy range between 5 eV and 100 eV. For N+, formation of HCN+ is observed at incident energies of projectile ions as low as 20 eV. In the case of N2+ projectile ions, the yield of HCN+ increased above zero only at incident energies of about 50 eV. This collision energy in the laboratory frame corresponds to an activation energy of about 3 eV to 3.5 eV. In the case of N+ projectile ions, the yield of HCN+ was large for most of the incident energy range, but decreased to zero at incident energies below 20 eV. This may indicate a very small energy threshold for the surface reaction between N+ and C3 hydrocarbons of a few tenths of an eV. Such a threshold for the formation of HCN+ may exist also for collisions of N+ with an adsorbed mixture of hydrocarbon molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faro Hechenberger
- Institut für Ionenphysik und Angewandte Physik, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerst. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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13
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On an EUV Atmospheric Simulation Chamber to Study the Photochemical Processes of Titan's Atmosphere. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10009. [PMID: 32561886 PMCID: PMC7305212 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66950-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The in situ exploration of Titan’s atmosphere requires the development of laboratory experiments to understand the molecular growth pathways initiated by photochemistry in the upper layers of the atmosphere. Key species and dominant reaction pathways are used to feed chemical network models that reproduce the chemical and physical processes of this complex environment. Energetic UV photons initiate highly efficient chemistry by forming reactive species in the ionospheres of the satellite. We present here a laboratory experiment based on a new closed and removable photoreactor coupled here to an Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) irradiation beam produced by the high-order harmonic generation of a femtosecond laser. This type of EUV stable source allow long-term irradiation experiments in which a plethora of individual reactions can take place. In order to demonstrate the validity of our approach, we irradiated for 7 hours at 89.2 nm, a gas mixture based on N2/CH4 (5%). Using only one wavelength, products of the reaction reveal an efficient photochemistry with the formation of large hydrocarbons but especially organic compounds rich in nitrogen similar to Titan. Among these nitrogen compounds, new species had never before been identified in the mass spectra obtained in situ in Titan’s atmosphere. Their production in this experiment, on the opposite, corroborates previous experimental measurements in the literature on the chemical composition of aerosol analogues produced in the laboratory. Diazo-compounds such as dimethyldiazene (C2H6N2), have been observed and are consistent with the large nitrogen incorporation observed by the aerosols collector pyrolysis instrument of the Huygens probe. This work represents an important step forward in the use of a closed cell chamber irradiated by the innovative EUV source for the generation of photochemical analogues of Titan aerosols. This approach allows to better constrain and understand the growth pathways of nitrogen incorporation into organic aerosols in Titan’s atmosphere.
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14
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Maillard J, Ferey J, Rüger CP, Schmitz-Afonso I, Bekri S, Gautier T, Carrasco N, Afonso C, Tebani A. Optimization of ion trajectories in a dynamically harmonized Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance cell using a design of experiments strategy. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2020; 34:e8659. [PMID: 31800128 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE With the recent introduction of the dynamically harmonized Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) cell, the complexity of tuning has expanded drastically, and fine-tuning of the direct current voltages is required to optimize the ion cloud movement. As this adjustment must typically be performed manually, more reliable computational methods would be useful. METHODS Here we propose a computational method based on a design of experiments (DoE) strategy to overcome the limits of classical manual tuning. This DoE strategy was exemplarily applied on a 12 T FT-ICR instrument equipped with a dynamically harmonized ICR cell. The chemometric approach, based on a central composite face (CCF) design, was first applied to a reference material (sodium trifluoroacetate) allowing for the evaluation of the primary cell parameters. Eight factors related to shimming and gating were identified. The summed intensity of the signal corresponding to the even harmonics was defined as one quality criterion. RESULTS The DoE response allowed for rapid and complete mapping of cell parameters resulting in an optimized parameter set. The new set of cell parameters was applied to the study of an ultra-complex sample: Tholins, an ultra-complex mixture that mimics the haze present on Titan, was chosen. We observed a substantial improvement in mass spectrometric performance. The sum of signals related to harmonics was decreased by a factor of three (from 4% for conventional tuning to 1.3%). Furthermore, the dynamic range was also increased, which in turn led to an increase in attributed peaks by 13%. CONCLUSIONS This computational procedure based on an experimental design can be applied to any other mass spectrometric parameter optimization problem. This strategy will lead to a more transparent and data-driven method development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Maillard
- LATMOS/IPSL, Université Versailles St Quentin, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, Guyancourt, France
- Université de Rouen, Laboratoire COBRA UMR 6014 & FR 3038, IRCOF, 1 Rue Tesnière, Mont St Aignan Cedex, France
| | - Justine Ferey
- Université de Rouen, Laboratoire COBRA UMR 6014 & FR 3038, IRCOF, 1 Rue Tesnière, Mont St Aignan Cedex, France
| | - Christopher P Rüger
- Université de Rouen, Laboratoire COBRA UMR 6014 & FR 3038, IRCOF, 1 Rue Tesnière, Mont St Aignan Cedex, France
| | - Isabelle Schmitz-Afonso
- Université de Rouen, Laboratoire COBRA UMR 6014 & FR 3038, IRCOF, 1 Rue Tesnière, Mont St Aignan Cedex, France
| | - Soumeya Bekri
- Department of Metabolic Biochemistry, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Thomas Gautier
- LATMOS/IPSL, Université Versailles St Quentin, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, Guyancourt, France
| | - Nathalie Carrasco
- LATMOS/IPSL, Université Versailles St Quentin, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, Guyancourt, France
| | - Carlos Afonso
- Université de Rouen, Laboratoire COBRA UMR 6014 & FR 3038, IRCOF, 1 Rue Tesnière, Mont St Aignan Cedex, France
| | - Abdellah Tebani
- LATMOS/IPSL, Université Versailles St Quentin, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, Guyancourt, France
- Université de Rouen, Laboratoire COBRA UMR 6014 & FR 3038, IRCOF, 1 Rue Tesnière, Mont St Aignan Cedex, France
- Department of Metabolic Biochemistry, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
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15
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Rüger CP, Maillard J, Le Maître J, Ridgeway M, Thompson CJ, Schmitz-Afonso I, Gautier T, Carrasco N, Park MA, Giusti P, Afonso C. Structural Study of Analogues of Titan's Haze by Trapped Ion Mobility Coupled with a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Mass Spectrometer. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2019; 30:1169-1173. [PMID: 31066005 DOI: 10.1007/s13361-019-02205-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The aerosols present in the atmosphere of the Saturn's moon Titan are of particular planetary science interest and several spacecraft missions are already allowed to gather spectroscopic data. Titan haze's analogs, so-called tholins, were produced on earth to push forward the comprehension of their formation and properties. In this study, this highly complex mixture was analyzed here for the first time by trapped ion mobility spectrometry coupled to ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry (FTICR MS). Electrospray ionization revealed the characteristic CHNx-class components, with CHN5-6 and DBE 6-7 most abundant. Deploying specialized visualization, enabled by accurate mass measurements and elemental composition assignments, the adapted Kendrick mass defect analysis highlights the C2H3N homolog series, whereas the nitrogen-modified van Krevelen diagram exhibits a clear trend towards H/C 1.5 and N/C 0.5. More interestingly, the representation of m/z versus collision cross section (CCS) allowed hypothesizing a ramified N-PAH structural motif. State-of-the-art IMS is currently not able to resolve the isomeric continuum of ultra-complex mixtures; thus, peak parameters other than the CCS value are explored. As such, analyzing the mobility peak width versus m/z shows a linear increase in isomeric diversity between m/z 170 and 350 and a near plateau in diversity at higher m/z for the N-PAH-like structure. Due to the high complexity of the sample, these structural insights are only to be revealed by TIMS-FTICR MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P Rüger
- CNRS/Université de Rouen, UMR 6014 COBRA, 1 rue Tesnière, 76821, Mont Saint Aignan Cedex, France.
| | - Julien Maillard
- CNRS/Université de Rouen, UMR 6014 COBRA, 1 rue Tesnière, 76821, Mont Saint Aignan Cedex, France
- LATMOS/IPSL, Université Versailles St Quentin, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, 11 blvd d'Alembert, 78280 Guyancourt, France
| | - Johann Le Maître
- CNRS/Université de Rouen, UMR 6014 COBRA, 1 rue Tesnière, 76821, Mont Saint Aignan Cedex, France
- TOTAL Refining and Chemicals, Total Research and Technologies Gonfreville, 76700 Harfleur, France
| | | | | | - Isabelle Schmitz-Afonso
- CNRS/Université de Rouen, UMR 6014 COBRA, 1 rue Tesnière, 76821, Mont Saint Aignan Cedex, France
| | - Thomas Gautier
- LATMOS/IPSL, Université Versailles St Quentin, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, 11 blvd d'Alembert, 78280 Guyancourt, France
| | - Nathalie Carrasco
- LATMOS/IPSL, Université Versailles St Quentin, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, 11 blvd d'Alembert, 78280 Guyancourt, France
| | | | - Pierre Giusti
- TOTAL Refining and Chemicals, Total Research and Technologies Gonfreville, 76700 Harfleur, France
| | - Carlos Afonso
- CNRS/Université de Rouen, UMR 6014 COBRA, 1 rue Tesnière, 76821, Mont Saint Aignan Cedex, France
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16
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Kawai J, Kebukawa Y, McKay CP, Kobayashi K. Nucleic acid bases in Titan tholins and possible genetic systems in the Titan liquidosphere. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2019; 20:20-29. [PMID: 30797431 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Titan is the largest moon of Saturn and possesses a dense atmosphere composed of nitrogen and methane. Various types of organic compounds (hydrocarbons, nitriles, etc.) have been found on Titan, which were generated by reactions taking place in its atmosphere. These reactions are considered to provide crucial evidence for chemical reactions which may have occurred in the atmosphere of primitive Earth. Cassini discovered several lakes of liquid methane and ethane on Titan's surface; in addition, the presence of ammonia water in its sub-surface was implied. In order to simulate the chemical reactions in Titan's atmosphere, gas mixtures of nitrogen and methane have been exposed to plasma discharges to synthesize complex organic matters. In this study, we focused on the formation of nucleic acid bases and related compounds recovered from synthesized Titan tholins. The five nucleic acid bases that terrestrial life uses (adenine, cytosine, thymine, guanine, and uracil) have already been reported to be present in synthesized Titan tholins. Purines and pyrimidines, including the five aforementioned nucleic acid bases, were extracted from synthesized Titan tholins and analyzed by HPLC and LC/MS. As a result, the pyrimidine bases of isocytosine and 2, 4-diaminopyrimidine were detected together with the terrestrial nucleic acid bases of adenine, uracil, and cytosine. The results obtained in conjunction with those from previous studies show that some nucleic acid bases and related pyrimidine bases are found in synthesized Titan tholins, suggesting that chemical evolutions toward xenogenetic systems could occur in Titan's environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Kawai
- High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0801, Japan.
| | - Yoko Kebukawa
- Yokohama National University, 79-1 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, 240-8501, Japan.
| | | | - Kensei Kobayashi
- Yokohama National University, 79-1 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, 240-8501, Japan.
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17
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Blanco Y, Gallardo-Carreño I, Ruiz-Bermejo M, Puente-Sánchez F, Cavalcante-Silva E, Quesada A, Prieto-Ballesteros O, Parro V. Critical Assessment of Analytical Techniques in the Search for Biomarkers on Mars: A Mummified Microbial Mat from Antarctica as a Best-Case Scenario. ASTROBIOLOGY 2017; 17:984-996. [PMID: 29016195 PMCID: PMC5655591 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2016.1467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The search for biomarkers of present or past life is one of the major challenges for in situ planetary exploration. Multiple constraints limit the performance and sensitivity of remote in situ instrumentation. In addition, the structure, chemical, and mineralogical composition of the sample may complicate the analysis and interpretation of the results. The aim of this work is to highlight the main constraints, performance, and complementarity of several techniques that have already been implemented or are planned to be implemented on Mars for detection of organic and molecular biomarkers on a best-case sample scenario. We analyzed a 1000-year-old desiccated and mummified microbial mat from Antarctica by Raman and IR (infrared) spectroscopies (near- and mid-IR), thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis, mass spectrometry (MS), and immunological detection with a life detector chip. In spite of the high organic content (ca. 20% wt/wt) of the sample, the Raman spectra only showed the characteristic spectral peaks of the remaining beta-carotene biomarker and faint peaks of phyllosilicates over a strong fluorescence background. IR spectra complemented the mineralogical information from Raman spectra and showed the main molecular vibrations of the humic acid functional groups. The TG-MS system showed the release of several volatile compounds attributed to biopolymers. An antibody microarray for detecting cyanobacteria (CYANOCHIP) detected biomarkers from Chroococcales, Nostocales, and Oscillatoriales orders. The results highlight limitations of each technique and suggest the necessity of complementary approaches in the search for biomarkers because some analytical techniques might be impaired by sample composition, presentation, or processing. Key Words: Planetary exploration-Life detection-Microbial mat-Life detector chip-Thermogravimetry-Raman spectroscopy-NIR-DRIFTS. Astrobiology 17, 984-996.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Blanco
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Marta Ruiz-Bermejo
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Antonio Quesada
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Víctor Parro
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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18
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Stanley LH, Anstöter CS, Verlet JRR. Resonances of the anthracenyl anion probed by frequency-resolved photoelectron imaging of collision-induced dissociated anthracene carboxylic acid. Chem Sci 2017; 8:3054-3061. [PMID: 28451374 PMCID: PMC5380881 DOI: 10.1039/c6sc05405f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of CID and photoelectron spectroscopy of organic carboxylic acid anions is discussed as a route to studying the dynamics of resonances in polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) anions.
Resonances in polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) anions are key intermediates in a number of processes such as electron transfer in organic electronics and electron attachment in the interstellar medium. Here we present a frequency- and angle-resolved photoelectron imaging study of the 9-anthracenyl anion generated through collision induced dissociation (CID) of its electrosprayed deprotonated anthracene carboxylic acid anion. We show that a number of π* resonances are active in the first 2.5 eV above the threshold. The photoelectron spectra and angular distributions revealed that nuclear dynamics compete with autodetachment for one of the resonances, while higher-lying resonances were dominated by prompt autodetachment. Based on electronic structure calculations, these observations were accounted for on the basis of the expected autodetachment rates of the resonances. Virtually no ground state recovery was observed, suggesting that the smallest deprotonated PAH that leads to ground state recovery is the tetracenyl anion, for which clear thermionic emission has been observed. The use of CID and photodissociation of organic carboxylic acid anions is discussed as a route to studying the dynamics of resonances in larger PAH anions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cate S Anstöter
- Department of Chemistry , Durham University , Durham DH1 3LE , UK .
| | - Jan R R Verlet
- Department of Chemistry , Durham University , Durham DH1 3LE , UK .
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19
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Cunha de Miranda B, Garcia GA, Gaie-Levrel F, Mahjoub A, Gautier T, Fleury B, Nahon L, Pernot P, Carrasco N. Molecular Isomer Identification of Titan’s Tholins Organic Aerosols by Photoelectron/Photoion Coincidence Spectroscopy Coupled to VUV Synchrotron Radiation. J Phys Chem A 2016; 120:6529-40. [PMID: 27471793 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.6b03346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Cunha de Miranda
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, DESIRS Beamline, L’Orme des Merisiers, St Aubin, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Gustavo A. Garcia
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, DESIRS Beamline, L’Orme des Merisiers, St Aubin, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - François Gaie-Levrel
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, DESIRS Beamline, L’Orme des Merisiers, St Aubin, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
- Gas
and Aerosol Metrology Department, Chemistry and Biology
Division, Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d’Essais − LNE (National Metrology Institute and Testing Laboratory), 1 rue Gaston
Boissier, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Ahmed Mahjoub
- Université Versailles St-Quentin; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS/INSU, LATMOS-IPSL, 11 Boulevard d’Alembert, 78280 Guyancourt, France
| | - Thomas Gautier
- Université Versailles St-Quentin; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS/INSU, LATMOS-IPSL, 11 Boulevard d’Alembert, 78280 Guyancourt, France
- NASA Postdoctoral Program, GSFC, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, United States
| | - Benjamin Fleury
- Université Versailles St-Quentin; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS/INSU, LATMOS-IPSL, 11 Boulevard d’Alembert, 78280 Guyancourt, France
| | - Laurent Nahon
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, DESIRS Beamline, L’Orme des Merisiers, St Aubin, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Pascal Pernot
- Laboratoire de
Chimie Physique, UMR8000 CNRS/Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France
| | - Nathalie Carrasco
- Université Versailles St-Quentin; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS/INSU, LATMOS-IPSL, 11 Boulevard d’Alembert, 78280 Guyancourt, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, 103 Boulevard St-Michel, 75005 Paris, France
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20
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David M, Musadji NY, Labanowski J, Sternberg R, Geffroy-Rodier C. Pilot for Validation of Online Pretreatments for Analyses of Organics by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry: Application to Space Research. Anal Chem 2016; 88:5137-44. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. David
- Université
Paris—Est-Créteil, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des
Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), UMR CNRS 7583, 61 avenue du General de Gaulle, 94010 Créteil, France
| | - N.-Y. Musadji
- Université
de Poitiers, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de
Poitiers (IC2MP), UMR CNRS 7285, Equipe Eau Géochimie Santé, 4 rue Michel Brunet, 86073 Poitiers, France
| | - J. Labanowski
- Université
de Poitiers, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de
Poitiers (IC2MP), UMR CNRS 7285, Equipe Eau Géochimie Santé, 4 rue Michel Brunet, 86073 Poitiers, France
| | - R. Sternberg
- Université
Paris—Est-Créteil, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des
Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), UMR CNRS 7583, 61 avenue du General de Gaulle, 94010 Créteil, France
| | - C. Geffroy-Rodier
- Université
de Poitiers, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de
Poitiers (IC2MP), UMR CNRS 7285, Equipe Eau Géochimie Santé, 4 rue Michel Brunet, 86073 Poitiers, France
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21
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Vazart F, Latouche C, Skouteris D, Balucani N, Barone V. CYANOMETHANIMINE ISOMERS IN COLD INTERSTELLAR CLOUDS: INSIGHTS FROM ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE AND KINETIC CALCULATIONS. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1088/0004-637x/810/2/111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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22
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Okochi K, Mieno T, Kondo K, Hasegawa S, Kurosawa K. Possibility of production of amino acids by impact reaction using a light-gas gun as a simulation of asteroid impacts. ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B 2015; 45:195-205. [PMID: 25796389 DOI: 10.1007/s11084-015-9419-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In order to investigate impact production of carbonaceous products by asteroids on Titan and other satellites and planets, simulation experiments were carried out using a 2-stage light gas gun. A small polycarbonate or metal bullet with about 6.5 km/s was injected into a pressurized target chamber filled with 1 atm of nitrogen gas, to collide with a ice + iron target or an iron target or a ice + hexane + iron target. After the impact, black soot including fine particles was deposited on the chamber wall. The soot was carefully collected and analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Laser Desorption Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LD-ToF-MS). As a result of the HPLC analysis, about 0.04-8 pmol of glycine, and a lesser amount of alanine were found in the samples when the ice + hexane + iron target was used. In case of the ice + iron target and the iron target, less amino acids were produced. The identification of the amino acids was also supported by FTIR and LD-ToF-MS analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Okochi
- Department of Physics, Shizuoka University, 836, Oya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan,
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25
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Bull JN, West CW, Verlet JRR. Internal conversion outcompetes autodetachment from resonances in the deprotonated tetracene anion continuum. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2015; 17:32464-71. [DOI: 10.1039/c5cp05388a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Resonances in deprotonated tetracene decay predominantly to the anion ground state.
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Li A, Jjunju FPM, Cooks RG. Nucleophilic addition of nitrogen to aryl cations: mimicking Titan chemistry. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2013; 24:1745-1754. [PMID: 23982933 DOI: 10.1007/s13361-013-0710-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Revised: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The reactivity of aryl cations toward molecular nitrogen is studied systematically in an ion trap mass spectrometer at 10(2) Pascal of nitrogen, the pressure of the Titan main haze layer. Nucleophilic addition of dinitrogen occurs and the nature of aryl group has a significant influence on the reactivity, through inductive effects and by changing the ground state spin multiplicity. The products of nitrogen activation, aryldiazonium ions, react with typical nitriles, aromatic amines, and alkynes (compounds that are relevant as possible Titan atmosphere constituents) to form covalently bonded heterocyclic products. Theoretical calculations at the level [DFT(B3LYP)/6-311++G(d,p)] indicate that the N2 addition reaction is exothermic for the singlet aryl cations but endothermic for their triplet spin isomers. The -OH and -NH2 substituted aryl ions are calculated to have triplet ground states, which is consistent with their decreased nitrogen addition reactivity. The energy needed for the generation of the aryl cations from their protonated precursors (ca. 340 kJ/mol starting with protonated aniline) is far less than that required to directly activate the nitrogen triple bond (the lowest energy excited state of N2 lies ca. 600 kJ/mol above the ground state). The formation of aza-aromatics via arene ionization and subsequent reactions provide a conceivable route to the genesis of nitrogen-containing organic molecules in the interstellar medium and Titan haze layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anyin Li
- Chemistry Department, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
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Harnisch M, Keim A, Scheier P, Herman Z. Formation of HCN+ in heterogeneous reactions of N2(+) and N+ with surface hydrocarbons. J Phys Chem A 2013; 117:9653-60. [PMID: 23614645 PMCID: PMC3790456 DOI: 10.1021/jp312307a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
![]()
A significant
increase of the ion yield at m/z 27 in collisions of low-energy ions of N2+ and N+ with hydrocarbon-covered room-temperature
or heated surfaces of tungsten, carbon-fiber composite, and beryllium,
not observed in analogous collisions of Ar+, is ascribed
to the formation of HCN+ in heterogeneous reactions between
N2+ or N+ and surface hydrocarbons.
The formation of HCN+ in the reaction with N+ indicated an exothermic reaction with no activation barrier, likely
to occur even at very low collision energies. In the reaction with
N2+, the formation of HCN+ was observed
to a different degree on these room-temperature and heated (150 and
300 °C) surfaces at incident energies above about 50 eV. This
finding suggested an activation barrier or reaction endothermicity
of the heterogeneous reaction of about 3–3.5 eV. The main process
in N2+ or N+ interaction with the
surfaces is ion neutralization; the probability of forming the reaction
product HCN+ was very roughly estimated for both N2+ and N+ ions to about one in 104 collisions with the surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Harnisch
- Institut für Ionenphysik und Angewandte Physik, Leopold-Franzens Universität Innsbruck , Technikerstr. 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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28
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Navigating the Chemical Space of HCN Polymerization and Hydrolysis: Guiding Graph Grammars by Mass Spectrometry Data. ENTROPY 2013. [DOI: 10.3390/e15104066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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29
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Carrasco N, Giuliani A, Correia JJ, Cernogora G. VUV photochemistry simulation of planetary upper atmosphere using synchrotron radiation. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2013; 20:587-590. [PMID: 23765300 DOI: 10.1107/s0909049513013538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The coupling of a gas reactor, named APSIS, with a vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron radiation facility, for a photochemistry study of gas mixtures, is reported. The reactor may be irradiated windowless with gas pressures up to hundreds of millibar, and thus allows the effect of energetic photons below 100 nm wavelength to be studied on possibly dense media. This set-up is perfectly suited to atmospheric photochemistry investigations, as illustrated by a preliminary report of a simulation of the upper atmospheric photochemistry of Titan, the largest satellite of Saturn. Titan's atmosphere is mainly composed of molecular nitrogen and methane. Solar VUV irradiation with wavelengths no longer than 100 nm on the top of the atmosphere enables the dissociation and ionization of nitrogen, involving a nitrogen chemistry specific to nitrogen-rich upper atmospheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Carrasco
- Université de Versailles St-Quentin/UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, LATMOS, F-78280 Guyancourt, France.
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Balucani N, Skouteris D, Leonori F, Petrucci R, Hamberg M, Geppert WD, Casavecchia P, Rosi M. Combined crossed beam and theoretical studies of the N(2D) + C2H4 reaction and implications for atmospheric models of Titan. J Phys Chem A 2012; 116:10467-79. [PMID: 23016665 DOI: 10.1021/jp3072316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The dynamics of the H displacement channels in the reaction N((2)D) + C(2)H(4) have been investigated by the crossed molecular beam technique with mass spectrometric detection and time-of-flight analysis at two different collision energies (17.2 and 28.2 kJ/mol). The interpretation of the scattering results is assisted by new electronic structure calculations of stationary points and product energetics for the C(2)H(4)N ground state doublet potential energy surface. RRKM statistical calculations have been performed to derive the product branching ratio under the conditions of the present experiments and of the atmosphere of Titan. Similarities and differences with respect to a recent study performed in crossed beam experiments coupled to ionization via tunable VUV synchrotron radiation are discussed (Lee, S.-H.; et al. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.2011, 13, 8515-8525). Implications for the atmospheric chemistry of Titan are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Balucani
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
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31
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Carlsson PTM, Dege JE, Keunecke C, Krüger BC, Wolf JL, Zeuch T. Pressure dependent aerosol formation from the cyclohexene gas-phase ozonolysis in the presence and absence of sulfur dioxide: a new perspective on the stabilisation of the initial clusters. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2012; 14:11695-705. [DOI: 10.1039/c2cp40714k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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32
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Balucani N. Elementary reactions of N atoms with hydrocarbons: first steps towards the formation of prebiotic N-containing molecules in planetary atmospheres. Chem Soc Rev 2012; 41:5473-83. [PMID: 22705670 DOI: 10.1039/c2cs35113g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Balucani
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
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33
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Cable ML, Hörst SM, Hodyss R, Beauchamp PM, Smith MA, Willis PA. Titan Tholins: Simulating Titan Organic Chemistry in the Cassini-Huygens Era. Chem Rev 2011; 112:1882-909. [DOI: 10.1021/cr200221x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Morgan L. Cable
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91109, United States
| | - Sarah M. Hörst
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Robert Hodyss
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91109, United States
| | - Patricia M. Beauchamp
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91109, United States
| | - Mark A. Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77004, United States
| | - Peter A. Willis
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91109, United States
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34
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Balucani N, Leonori F, Petrucci R, Stazi M, Skouteris D, Rosi M, Casavecchia P. Formation of nitriles and imines in the atmosphere of Titan: combined crossed-beam and theoretical studies on the reaction dynamics of excited nitrogen atoms N(2D) with ethane. Faraday Discuss 2011; 147:189-216; discussion 251-82. [PMID: 21302548 DOI: 10.1039/c004748a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The dynamics of the H-displacement channels in the reaction N(2D) + C2H6 have been investigated by the crossed molecular beam technique with mass spectrometric detection and time-of-flight analysis at two different collision energies (18.0 and 31.4 kJ mol(-1)). From the derived center-of-mass product angular and translational energy distributions the reaction micromechanisms and the product energy partitioning have been obtained. The interpretation of the scattering results is assisted by new ab initio electronic structure calculations of stationary points and product energetics for the C2H6N ground state doublet potential energy surface. C-C bond breaking and NH production channels have been theoretically characterized and the statistical branching ratio derived at the temperatures relevant for the atmosphere of Titan. Methanimine plus CH3 and ethanimine plus H are the main reaction channels. Implications for the atmospheric chemistry of Titan are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Balucani
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
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35
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Wolf JL, Richters S, Pecher L, Zeuch T. Pressure dependent mechanistic branching in the formation pathways of secondary organic aerosol from cyclic-alkene gas-phase ozonolysis. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2011; 13:10952-64. [PMID: 21442094 DOI: 10.1039/c0cp02499f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Pressure shows a strong influence on aerosol yields from the gas phase ozonolysis of terpenes and other cyclic alkenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Lennard Wolf
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie
- 37077 Göttingen
- Germany
| | - Stefanie Richters
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie
- 37077 Göttingen
- Germany
| | - Lisa Pecher
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie
- 37077 Göttingen
- Germany
| | - Thomas Zeuch
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie
- 37077 Göttingen
- Germany
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36
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Niemann HB, Atreya SK, Demick JE, Gautier D, Haberman JA, Harpold DN, Kasprzak WT, Lunine JI, Owen TC, Raulin F. Composition of Titan's lower atmosphere and simple surface volatiles as measured by the Cassini-Huygens probe gas chromatograph mass spectrometer experiment. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1029/2010je003659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 334] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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37
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Clark RN, Curchin JM, Barnes JW, Jaumann R, Soderblom L, Cruikshank DP, Brown RH, Rodriguez S, Lunine J, Stephan K, Hoefen TM, Le Mouélic S, Sotin C, Baines KH, Buratti BJ, Nicholson PD. Detection and mapping of hydrocarbon deposits on Titan. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1029/2009je003369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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38
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Plessis S, Carrasco N, Pernot P. Knowledge-based probabilistic representations of branching ratios in chemical networks: the case of dissociative recombinations. J Chem Phys 2010; 133:134110. [PMID: 20942526 DOI: 10.1063/1.3479907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental data about branching ratios for the products of dissociative recombination of polyatomic ions are presently the unique information source available to modelers of natural or laboratory chemical plasmas. Yet, because of limitations in the measurement techniques, data for many ions are incomplete. In particular, the repartition of hydrogen atoms among the fragments of hydrocarbons ions is often not available. A consequence is that proper implementation of dissociative recombination processes in chemical models is difficult, and many models ignore invaluable data. We propose a novel probabilistic approach based on Dirichlet-type distributions, enabling modelers to fully account for the available information. As an application, we consider the production rate of radicals through dissociative recombination in an ionospheric chemistry model of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. We show how the complete scheme of dissociative recombination products derived with our method dramatically affects these rates in comparison with the simplistic H-loss mechanism implemented by default in all recent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Plessis
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique, Univ Paris-Sud, UMR 8000, Orsay F-91405, France
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39
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Moissl-Eichinger C. Archaea in artificial environments: their presence in global spacecraft clean rooms and impact on planetary protection. ISME JOURNAL 2010; 5:209-19. [PMID: 20703318 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2010.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The presence and role of Archaea in artificial, human-controlled environments is still unclear. The search for Archaea has been focused on natural biotopes where they have been found in overwhelming numbers, and with amazing properties. However, they are considered as one of the major group of microorganisms that might be able to survive a space flight, or even to thrive on other planets. Although still concentrating on aerobic, bacterial spores as a proxy for spacecraft cleanliness, space agencies are beginning to consider Archaea as a possible contamination source that could affect future searches for life on other planets. This study reports on the discovery of archaeal 16S rRNA gene signatures not only in US American spacecraft assembly clean rooms but also in facilities in Europe and South America. Molecular methods revealed the presence of Crenarchaeota in all clean rooms sampled, while signatures derived from methanogens and a halophile appeared only sporadically. Although no Archaeon was successfully enriched in our multiassay cultivation approach thus far, samples from a European clean room revealed positive archaeal fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) signals of rod-shaped microorganisms, representing the first visualization of Archaea in clean room environments. The molecular and visual detection of Archaea was supported by the first quantitative PCR studies of clean rooms, estimating the overall quantity of Archaea therein. The significant presence of Archaea in these extreme environments in distinct geographical locations suggests a larger role for these microorganisms not only in natural biotopes, but also in human controlled and rigorously cleaned environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Institute for Microbiology and Archaea Center, Universitaet Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, Regensburg, Germany.
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40
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Jacovi R, Laufer D, Dimitrov V, Bar-Nun A. Chemical composition of simulated Titan's midatmospheric aerosols. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1029/2010je003585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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41
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Formation of nitrogenated organic aerosols in the Titan upper atmosphere. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 107:12423-8. [PMID: 20616074 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0913353107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many aspects of the nitrogen fixation process by photochemistry in the Titan atmosphere are not fully understood. The recent Cassini mission revealed organic aerosol formation in the upper atmosphere of Titan. It is not clear, however, how much and by what mechanism nitrogen is incorporated in Titan's organic aerosols. Using tunable synchrotron radiation at the Advanced Light Source, we demonstrate the first evidence of nitrogenated organic aerosol production by extreme ultraviolet-vacuum ultraviolet irradiation of a N(2)/CH(4) gas mixture. The ultrahigh-mass-resolution study with laser desorption ionization-Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry of N(2)/CH(4) photolytic solid products at 60 and 82.5 nm indicates the predominance of highly nitrogenated compounds. The distinct nitrogen incorporations at the elemental abundances of H(2)C(2)N and HCN, respectively, are suggestive of important roles of H(2)C(2)N/HCCN and HCN/CN in their formation. The efficient formation of unsaturated hydrocarbons is observed in the gas phase without abundant nitrogenated neutrals at 60 nm, and this is confirmed by separately using (13)C and (15)N isotopically labeled initial gas mixtures. These observations strongly suggest a heterogeneous incorporation mechanism via short lived nitrogenated reactive species, such as HCCN radical, for nitrogenated organic aerosol formation, and imply that substantial amounts of nitrogen is fixed as organic macromolecular aerosols in Titan's atmosphere.
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42
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Carrasco N, Schmitz-Afonso I, Bonnet JY, Quirico E, Thissen R, Dutuit O, Bagag A, Laprévote O, Buch A, Giulani A, Adandé G, Ouni F, Hadamcik E, Szopa C, Cernogora G. Chemical characterization of Titan's tholins: solubility, morphology and molecular structure revisited. J Phys Chem A 2010; 113:11195-203. [PMID: 19827851 DOI: 10.1021/jp904735q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In this work Titan's atmospheric chemistry is simulated using a capacitively coupled plasma radio frequency discharge in a N(2)-CH(4) stationnary flux. Samples of Titan's tholins are produced in gaseous mixtures containing either 2 or 10% methane before the plasma discharge, covering the methane concentration range measured in Titan's atmosphere. We study their solubility and associated morphology, their infrared spectroscopy signature and the mass distribution of the soluble fraction by mass spectrometry. An important result is to highlight that the previous Titan's tholin solubility studies are inappropriate to fully characterize such a heterogeneous organic matter and we develop a new protocol to evaluate quantitatively tholins solubility. We find that tholins contain up to 35% in mass of molecules soluble in methanol, attached to a hardly insoluble fraction. Methanol is then chosen as a discriminating solvent to characterize the differences between soluble and insoluble species constituting the bulk tholins. No significant morphological change of shape or surface feature is derived from scanning electron microscopy after the extraction of the soluble fraction. This observation suggests a solid structure despite an important porosity of the grains. Infrared spectroscopy is recorded for both fractions. The IR spectra of the bulk, soluble, and insoluble tholins fractions are found to be very similar and reveal identical chemical signatures of nitrogen bearing functions and aliphatic groups. This result confirms that the chemical information collected when analyzing only the soluble fraction provides a valuable insight representative of the bulk material. The soluble fraction is ionized with an atmospheric pressure photoionization source and analyzed by a hybrid mass spectrometer. The congested mass spectra with one peak at every mass unit between 50 and 800 u confirm that the soluble fraction contains a complex mixture of organic molecules. The broad distribution, however, exhibits a regular pattern of mass clusters. Tandem collision induced dissociation analysis is performed in the negative ion mode to retrieve structural information. It reveals that (i) the molecules are ended by methyl, amine and cyanide groups, (ii) a 27 u neutral moiety (most probably HCN) is often released in the fragmentation of tholin anions, and (iii) an ubiquitous ionic fragment at m/z 66 is found in all tandem spectra. A tentative structure is proposed for this negative ion.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Carrasco
- Université de Versailles St-Quentin, UPMC Univ Paris 06 CNRS/INSU, LATMOS-IPSL, 91371 Verrieres le Buisson Cedex, France. France
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43
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Balucani N, Bergeat A, Cartechini L, Volpi GG, Casavecchia P, Skouteris D, Rosi M. Combined crossed molecular beam and theoretical studies of the N(2D) + CH4 reaction and implications for atmospheric models of Titan. J Phys Chem A 2010; 113:11138-52. [PMID: 19642633 DOI: 10.1021/jp904302g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The dynamics of the H-displacement channel in the reaction N((2)D) + CH(4) has been investigated by the crossed molecular beam (CMB) technique with mass spectrometric detection and time-of-flight (TOF) analysis at five different collision energies (from 22.2 up to 65.1 kJ/mol). The CMB results have identified two distinct isomers as primary reaction products, methanimine and methylnitrene, the yield of which significantly varies with the total available energy. From the derived center-of-mass product angular and translational energy distributions the reaction micromechanisms, the product energy partitioning and the relative branching ratios of the competing reaction channels leading to the two isomers have been obtained. The interpretation of the scattering results is assisted by new ab initio electronic structure calculations of stationary points and product energetics for the CH(4)N ground state doublet potential energy surface. Differently from previous theoretical studies, both insertion and H-abstraction pathways have been found to be barrierless at all levels of theory employed in this work. A comparison between experimental results on the two isomer branching ratio and RRKM estimates, based on the new electronic structure calculations, confirms the highly nonstatistical nature of the N((2)D) + CH(4) reaction, with the production of the CH(3)N isomer dominated by dynamical effects. The implications for the chemical models of the atmosphere of Titan are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Balucani
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
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44
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Pernot P, Carrasco N, Thissen R, Schmitz-Afonso I. Tholinomics—Chemical Analysis of Nitrogen-Rich Polymers. Anal Chem 2010; 82:1371-80. [DOI: 10.1021/ac902458q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Pernot
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique, UMR 8000, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud 11, 91405 Orsay cedex, France
| | - Nathalie Carrasco
- Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales, Université de Versailles Saint Quentin, UMR 8190, 91371 Verrières-le-Buisson cedex, France
| | - Roland Thissen
- Laboratoire de Planétologie de Grenoble, UMR 5109, CNRS, Université Joseph Fourrier 38041, Grenoble cedex 9, France
| | - Isabelle Schmitz-Afonso
- Centre de Recherche de Gif, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS, avenue de la Terrasse 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
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45
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Wang CC, Zielke P, Sigurbjörnsson ÓF, Viteri CR, Signorell R. Infrared Spectra of C2H6, C2H4, C2H2, and CO2 Aerosols Potentially Formed in Titan’s Atmosphere. J Phys Chem A 2009; 113:11129-37. [DOI: 10.1021/jp904106e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chia C. Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Philipp Zielke
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Ómar F. Sigurbjörnsson
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - C. Ricardo Viteri
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Ruth Signorell
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
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46
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Balucani N. Elementary reactions and their role in gas-phase prebiotic chemistry. Int J Mol Sci 2009; 10:2304-2335. [PMID: 19564951 PMCID: PMC2695279 DOI: 10.3390/ijms10052304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2009] [Revised: 05/13/2009] [Accepted: 05/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of complex organic molecules in a reactor filled with gaseous mixtures possibly reproducing the primitive terrestrial atmosphere and ocean demonstrated more than 50 years ago that inorganic synthesis of prebiotic molecules is possible, provided that some form of energy is provided to the system. After that groundbreaking experiment, gas-phase prebiotic molecules have been observed in a wide variety of extraterrestrial objects (including interstellar clouds, comets and planetary atmospheres) where the physical conditions vary widely. A thorough characterization of the chemical evolution of those objects relies on a multi-disciplinary approach: 1) observations allow us to identify the molecules and their number densities as they are nowadays; 2) the chemistry which lies behind their formation starting from atoms and simple molecules is accounted for by complex reaction networks; 3) for a realistic modeling of such networks, a number of experimental parameters are needed and, therefore, the relevant molecular processes should be fully characterized in laboratory experiments. A survey of the available literature reveals, however, that much information is still lacking if it is true that only a small percentage of the elementary reactions considered in the models have been characterized in laboratory experiments. New experimental approaches to characterize the relevant elementary reactions in laboratory are presented and the implications of the results are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Balucani
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy; E-Mail:
; Tel. +39-075-585-5513; Fax: +39-075-585-5606
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47
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Bézard B. Composition and chemistry of Titan's stratosphere. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2009; 367:683-695. [PMID: 19019784 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2008.0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Our present knowledge of the composition and chemistry of Titan's stratosphere is reviewed. Thermal measurements by the Cassini spacecraft show that the mixing ratios of all photochemical species, except ethylene, increase with altitude at equatorial and southern latitudes, reflecting transport from a high-altitude source to a condensation sink in the lower stratosphere. Most compounds are enriched at latitudes northward of 45 degrees N, a consequence of subsidence in the winter polar vortex. This enrichment is much stronger for nitriles and complex hydrocarbons than for ethane and acetylene. Titan's chemistry originates from breakdown of methane due to photodissociation in the upper atmosphere and catalytical reactions in the stratosphere, and from destruction of nitrogen both by UV photons and electrons. Photochemistry also produces haze particles made of complex refractory material, albeit at a lower rate than ethane, the most abundant gas product. Haze characteristics (vertical distribution, physical and spectral properties) inferred by several instruments aboard Cassini/Huygens are discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bézard
- LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, CNRS, 92195 Meudon, France.
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Parro V, Fernández-Calvo P, Rodríguez Manfredi JA, Moreno-Paz M, Rivas LA, García-Villadangos M, Bonaccorsi R, González-Pastor JE, Prieto-Ballesteros O, Schuerger AC, Davidson M, Gómez-Elvira J, Stoker CR. SOLID2: an antibody array-based life-detector instrument in a Mars Drilling Simulation Experiment (MARTE). ASTROBIOLOGY 2008; 8:987-999. [PMID: 19105755 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2007.0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
A field prototype of an antibody array-based life-detector instrument, Signs Of LIfe Detector (SOLID2), has been tested in a Mars drilling mission simulation called MARTE (Mars Astrobiology Research and Technology Experiment). As one of the analytical instruments on the MARTE robotic drilling rig, SOLID2 performed automatic sample processing and analysis of ground core samples (0.5 g) with protein microarrays that contained 157 different antibodies. Core samples from different depths (down to 5.5 m) were analyzed, and positive reactions were obtained in antibodies raised against the Gram-negative bacterium Leptospirillum ferrooxidans, a species of the genus Acidithiobacillus (both common microorganisms in the Río Tinto area), and extracts from biofilms and other natural samples from the Río Tinto area. These positive reactions were absent when the samples were previously subjected to a high-temperature treatment, which indicates the biological origin and structural dependency of the antibody-antigen reactions. We conclude that an antibody array-based life-detector instrument like SOLID2 can detect complex biological material, and it should be considered as a potential analytical instrument for future planetary missions that search for life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Parro
- Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain.
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Geppert W, Larsson M. Dissociative recombination in the interstellar medium and planetary ionospheres. Mol Phys 2008. [DOI: 10.1080/00268970802322074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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