title: Biomarkers and their Raman spectroscopic signatures: a spectral challenge for analytical astrobiology.
abstract: The remote robotic exploration of extraterrestrial scenarios for evidence of biological colonization in 'search for life' missions using Raman spectroscopy is critically dependent on two major factors: firstly, the Raman spectral recognition of characteristic biochemical spectral signatures in the presence of mineral matrix features; and secondly, the positive unambiguous identification of molecular biomaterials which are indicative of extinct or extant life. Both of these factors are considered here: the most important criterion is the clear definition of which biochemicals truly represent biomarkers, whose presence in the planetary geological record from an analytical astrobiological standpoint will unambiguously be indicative of life as recognized from its remote instrumental interrogation. Also discussed in this paper are chemical compounds which are associated with living systems, including biominerals, which may not in themselves be definitive signatures of life processes and origins but whose presence provides an indicator of potential life-bearing matrices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Centre for Astrobiology and Extremophiles Research, Space Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK h.g.m.edwards@bradford.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Howell G M
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Centre for Astrobiology and Extremophiles Research, Space Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
authors.forename: Ian B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Centre for Astrobiology and Extremophiles Research, Space Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ingley
authors.affiliation: Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Charles University in Prague, Albertov 6, 12843 Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jehlička
keywords: Raman spectroscopy; biomarkers; biomolecular signatures; extremophiles