title: Experimental support for an immunological approach to the search for life on other planets.
abstract: We propose a three-phase approach to test for evidence of life in extraterrestrial samples. The approach capitalizes on the flexibility, sensitivity, and specificity of antibody-antigen interactions. Data are presented to support the first phase, in which various extraction protocols are compared for efficiency, and in which a preliminary suite of antibodies are tested against various antigens. The antigens and antibodies were chosen on the basis of criteria designed to optimize the detection of extraterrestrial biomarkers unique to living or once-living organisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA. schweitzer@ncsu.edu
authors.forename: Mary Higby
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Schweitzer
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wittmeyer
authors.forename: Recep
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Avci
authors.forename: Seth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pincus
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D018559:Exobiology / Q000379:methods*; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D005580:Fossils; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D016083:Planets
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers