Investigation of neutron radiation effects on polyclonal antibodies (IgG) and fluorescein dye for astrobiological applications.
Detecting life in the Solar System is one of the great challenges of new upcoming space missions. Biochips have been proposed as a way to detect organic matter on extraterrestrial objects. A biochip is a miniaturized device composed of biologically sensitive systems, such as antibodies, which are immobilized on a slide. In the case of in situ measurements, the main concern is to ensure the survival of the antibodies under space radiation. Our recent computing simulation of cosmic ray interactions with the martian environment shows that neutrons are one of the dominant species at soil level. Therefore, we have chosen, in a first approach, to study antibody resistance to neutrons by performing irradiation experiments at the Applications Interdisciplinaires des Faisceaux d'Ions en Région Aquitaine (AIFIRA) platform, a French ion beam facility at the Centre d'Etudes Nucléaires de Bordeaux-Gradignan in Bordeaux. Antibodies and fluorescent dyes, freeze-dried and in buffer solution, were irradiated with 0.6 MeV and 6 MeV neutrons. Sample analyses demonstrated that, in the conditions tested, antibody recognition capability and fluorescence dye intensity are not affected by the neutrons.
Université de Bordeaux, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux (LAB), Bordeaux, France. lepostollec@obs.u-bordeaux1.fr
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Le Postollec
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Coussot
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Baqué
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Incerti
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Desvignes
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Moretto
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Dobrijevic
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Vandenabeele-Trambouze
D000906:Antibodies / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001665:Binding Sites; D002021:Buffers; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003359:Cosmic Radiation; D018559:Exobiology / Q000379:methods*; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005612:Freeze Drying; D009502:Neutrons; D012996:Solutions; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D014835:Volatilization / Q000528:radiation effects
D000906:Antibodies; D002021:Buffers; D004396:Coloring Agents; D012996:Solutions; D019793:Fluorescein