A new instrument developed for space missions could be used to determine whether or not organic chemistry on planets and moons is associated with past or present life. The ‘lab-on-a-chip’ device was designed by a team of scientists supported by the NASA Astrobiology Technology and Instrument Development (ASTID) program. Using only computers to control the device remotely, the researchers performed an entire, ‘end-to-end’ analysis of amino acids in a sample. This included manipulating liquids for sample pretreatment and electrophoretic analysis. The process uses an array of pneumatically actuated valves and pumps to route fluid into specific channels on the chip. Unlike similar devices, the new microchip is the first to integrate all of the steps required for sample analysis into a single, automated package.

The work provides a critical step in advancing technology readiness for future missions to locations such as Mars, Europa and Titan. The automated technology could also have many uses here on Earth, including point-of-care analysis and environmental monitoring.

The paper, “Toward Total Automation of Microfluidics for Extraterrestrial In Situ Analysis” was published in October 2011 under lead author, Maria F. Mora, in the journal Analytical Chemistry.