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Identification of microbial pigments in evaporites using Raman spectroscopy: implications for astrobiology
Vítek, Petr ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Marshall, Craig P. (referee) ; Vandenabeele, Peter (referee)
Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for identification both inorganic and organic compounds including microbial biomolecules. Together with the fact, that it is considered to be the important nondestructive instrument for use on Mars within future robotic missions, it is necessary to assess its capabilities in scenarios relevant for both Martian and terrestrial conditions. In this work, the potential of Raman spectrometry was tested - including both bench-top laboratory systems as well as portable counterparts - to detect traces of life within evaporitic matrices through biomolecular identification. Due to their chemical and physical nature resulting in optical properties, pigments are important organic compounds in Raman spectroscopic analysis using visible excitation. Hence in this work we have focused on the Raman spectroscopic identification of pigments as biomarkers with relevance for investigation of life in both extreme terrestrial and potentially extraterrestrial environments. Results of methodical work are presented in Appendices I to III, dealing particularly with β-carotene as a model carotenoid pigment. The concentration limits of this biomarker in three different evaporitic matrices (halite, gypsum and epsomite) have been determined for artificially prepared powdered mixtures alone...
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Detecting biomarkers of extremophiles in Martian analogues
Němečková, Kateřina ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Hauer, Tomáš (referee) ; Vandenabeele, Peter (referee)
The main focus of this thesis is on the examination of endolithic microorganisms within gypsum from Sicily. This region is of particular interest because gypsum outcrops are common and accessible there, but the environment is not considered to be extreme in terms of solar radiation or other factors. The research aims to detect endolithic biomarkers and analyse their distribution in their natural environment, to identify endoliths with a focus on phototrophs, and to assign the detected biomarkers to their producers. One of the key tools used in this study was a portable Raman spectrometer with a 532 nm laser, used for the detection of carotenoids under field conditions. Further, the Raman fingerprints of scytonemin and gloeocapsin can be used for the taxonomic identification of some cyanobacteria. With the use of a combination of different excitation wavelengths (445nm, 532 nm, 780 nm), it was possible to detect good quality spectra of various pigments in situ, conditions also in isolated cells and colonies. The results of the molecular analysis also suggest that gypsum habitats in non-extreme regions have a similar microbial composition as those found in extreme regions; i.e., Cyanobacteria being the most abundant group of these microorganisms. This has previously been described as the "hypothesis...
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Application of Raman spectroscopy for the identification of organic inclusions in minerals for the field of exobiology
Osterrothová, Kateřina ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Němec, Ivan (referee) ; Vandenabeele, Peter (referee)
The multidisciplinary field of astrobiology has grown rapidly in recent years. The major goals of research in the field have been the search for habitable environments both within and outside our solar system, the search for evidence of prebiotic chemistry and life on Mars and other bodies in our solar system, laboratory and field research into the origins and early evolution of life on Earth, and studies of the potential for life to adapt to challenges on Earth and in space. NASA and ESA are heavily focused on a number of upcoming exploratory missions (e.g., the Mars Science Laboratory, with its planned launch in the fall 2011; ExoMars 2018; and the follow-up Mars Sample Return missions beyond 2020). A Raman spectrometer is now being miniaturized for the ExoMars Rover Instrument Suite. This Raman instrument is expected to be used to identify organic compounds and mineral products that could be related to signatures of life, as well as provide a general mineralogical overview, especially those minerals produced by water- related processes. This thesis describes the results of laboratory investigation into the feasibility of Raman spectroscopy to detect different types of biomarkers (pigments, carboxylic acids, and aminoacids) first mixed in the mineral matrices and...
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Application of Raman spectroscopy for detection of sulfates of self-ignited coal heaps
Košek, Filip ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Němec, Ivan (referee) ; Vandenabeele, Peter (referee)
This Ph.D. thesis was focused on the application of Raman spectroscopy as the main analytical method for the characterization of neo-formed minerals, notably sulfates, from burning coal waste dumps. This environment associated with subsurface fires gives rise to a variety of uncommon and rare minerals. The specific features of these minerals (metastability, hygroscopy, mixed aggregates) causes that the mineralogical investigation is a challenging task using traditional laboratory-based techniques. Advantages such as the non-destructive nature, the sensitivity to the changes in the hydration degree of sulfates, little or none pretreatment, and the option of measurements directly in the field were the main reasons for applying this spectroscopy method. The scarce availability of spectroscopic data of most gas-vent minerals can be considered as the disadvantage. Therefore, artificial prepared samples of six anhydrous sulfates, which are rarely found in nature, were analyzed by Raman laboratory spectroscopy and a miniature a Raman spectrometer, and specific Raman features as well the differences with hydrated counterparts are shown. Laboratory investigation of two natural hydrated aluminum sulfates, alunogen and khademite, were carried out using Raman spectroscopy and other methods in order to obtain...
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Application of Raman spectroscopy for the identification of organic inclusions in minerals for the field of exobiology
Osterrothová, Kateřina ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Němec, Ivan (referee) ; Vandenabeele, Peter (referee)
The multidisciplinary field of astrobiology has grown rapidly in recent years. The major goals of research in the field have been the search for habitable environments both within and outside our solar system, the search for evidence of prebiotic chemistry and life on Mars and other bodies in our solar system, laboratory and field research into the origins and early evolution of life on Earth, and studies of the potential for life to adapt to challenges on Earth and in space. NASA and ESA are heavily focused on a number of upcoming exploratory missions (e.g., the Mars Science Laboratory, with its planned launch in the fall 2011; ExoMars 2018; and the follow-up Mars Sample Return missions beyond 2020). A Raman spectrometer is now being miniaturized for the ExoMars Rover Instrument Suite. This Raman instrument is expected to be used to identify organic compounds and mineral products that could be related to signatures of life, as well as provide a general mineralogical overview, especially those minerals produced by water- related processes. This thesis describes the results of laboratory investigation into the feasibility of Raman spectroscopy to detect different types of biomarkers (pigments, carboxylic acids, and aminoacids) first mixed in the mineral matrices and...
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Identification of microbial pigments in evaporites using Raman spectroscopy: implications for astrobiology
Vítek, Petr ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Marshall, Craig P. (referee) ; Vandenabeele, Peter (referee)
Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for identification both inorganic and organic compounds including microbial biomolecules. Together with the fact, that it is considered to be the important nondestructive instrument for use on Mars within future robotic missions, it is necessary to assess its capabilities in scenarios relevant for both Martian and terrestrial conditions. In this work, the potential of Raman spectrometry was tested - including both bench-top laboratory systems as well as portable counterparts - to detect traces of life within evaporitic matrices through biomolecular identification. Due to their chemical and physical nature resulting in optical properties, pigments are important organic compounds in Raman spectroscopic analysis using visible excitation. Hence in this work we have focused on the Raman spectroscopic identification of pigments as biomarkers with relevance for investigation of life in both extreme terrestrial and potentially extraterrestrial environments. Results of methodical work are presented in Appendices I to III, dealing particularly with β-carotene as a model carotenoid pigment. The concentration limits of this biomarker in three different evaporitic matrices (halite, gypsum and epsomite) have been determined for artificially prepared powdered mixtures alone...
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