Ricerc@Sapienza

The detection of life markers is a high priority task in the exploration of the Solar System. Biochips performing in-situ multiplex immunoassays are a very promising approach alternative to gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. As part of the PLEIADES project, we present the development of a chemiluminescence-based, highly integrated analytical platform for the detection of biomarkers outside of the Earth. The PLEIADES device goes beyond the current lab-on-chip approaches that still require bulky external instrumentation for their operation.

The detection of biomarkers of past or present life is a high priority task for the astrobiological exploration of the Solar System, currently pursued through in situ analyses by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Lab-on-chip systems are under study as a very promising alternative approach, offering high specificity and detectability and minimizing employed resources as volume, mass, power consumption.