The Mars Organic Analyzer (MOA) microcapillary electrophoresis (�CE) technology (Skelley et al., PNAS, 2005, 102, 1041) enables rapid, automated, and extremely sensitive (sub pptr) analyses of organic biomarkers including amines, amino acids, and PAHs by microchip capillary electrophoresis. Recent work developed labeling and separation methods for highly oxidized organic molecules including aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids that may be present on the Martian surface. These methods enable low limit of detection (70 pM formaldehyde) analysis of oxidized organics in astrobiologically relevant samples. We now report the development of a programmable microfluidic Automaton array of microvalves that enables rapid automated fluorescent derivitization, serial dilution, spiking with standards, and �CE channel loading for analysis of all desired classes of molecules. Automated autonomous performance of carboxylic acid labeling and processing on-chip results in labeling efficiencies and peak efficiencies comparable to manual results. These advances provide a completely integrated and autonomous MOA technology for extraterrestrial sample analyses.

Automated analysis of carbonaceous biomarkers with the Mars Organic Analyzer microchip capillary electrophoresis system: Amines, amino acids, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

242nd National Meeting (2011)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.