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DNA Extraction in Atacama Soils

DNA Extraction in Atacama Soils. Spaceward Bound: Atacama Season 1. Lauren Fletcher – NASA Ames Research Center/Stanford University Christopher McKay – NASA Ames Research Center. Uranium P-36 Explosive Space Modulator. Top Secret. Goal: Venus Viewing Improvements

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DNA Extraction in Atacama Soils

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  1. DNA Extraction in Atacama Soils Spaceward Bound: Atacama Season 1 Lauren Fletcher – NASA Ames Research Center/Stanford University Christopher McKay – NASA Ames Research Center

  2. Uranium P-36Explosive Space Modulator Top Secret Goal: Venus Viewing Improvements Plan: Development of an Earth Shattering Explosive Device Allied Tactical Attack Command Armed Martian Association

  3. Looking For MartiansIn the Atacama Spaceward Bound: Atacama Season 1 Lauren Fletcher – NASA Ames Research Center/Stanford University Christopher McKay – NASA Ames Research Center

  4. A Little Bit about Mission Design • Two General Laws Govern Mission Design: • Objectives • Exploration • Political • Planetary Defense • Science • Limitations • Monetary • Political • Physics • Technology • Science • Assume our Objective is the discovery of Life on Mars and that principle limitations are Scientific & Technology

  5. Stuff We Know About Mars • We Know: • Conditions on early Mars are theorized to have been similar to that of Earth at the time of the genesis of life on Earth. • *LONG* Periods when there were *LARGE* bodies of free flowing water on the Mars surface. • Continue to be periods when the conditions are right for to produce water vapor if not liquid water. • Large deposits of Subsurface and Polar Ice. • Thin Atmosphere. • We Conclude: • Life was at least *possible* on Mars • It is *still* possible that there is Life on Mars • Therefore, We Assume: • Life Does exist on Mars….we just haven’t found the right place or have had the right tool to find it.

  6. Same Song, Second Verse(The Origin of Life on Earth/Mars) • Life is the Same • Interchange of Planetary Materials • Extra-solar system meteorites hitting both planets. • Separate Genesis • Life is Different • Conditions on *both* planets acceptable for the initiation of Life, but a completely different genesis • Leads to Further Refinement of our Objective: • Is there Life? • Does it look like us? • Did we come from the same source or a separate Genesis?

  7. The Complexity of Life on Mars • The Answer is.....Not Very! • Current Scientific data shows a very stark environment devoid of all (VISIBLE) life. • Provides a Key Scientific Limitation: • Life on Mars is likely to be mono-cellular or not very complex multi-cellular organisms. • Therefore, We Conclude: • Looking for Microbes is the best way to find our Martians.

  8. Direct and Indirect Detection of Martians • Indirect – Looking for the *Signs* of Biology: • Respiration • Detection of Organic Material • Direct – We see it, therefore it is: • Cultivation • Microscopy • Direct Visual • Florescent Stain • Sublimation of Nucleic Acids • Phospholipid Fatty Acid Analysis • DNA Detection and Analysis • Comparison of the Methods used for the Direct Detection of Martians in the Atacama (following)

  9. Summary • There are also Advantages to Each Method: • Sensitivity • Ease of Sample Preparation • Have to Balance Advantages and Limitations in the selection of a specific method in order to meet your Objectives.

  10. Proof of Martians on the Mars Surface • The two recent Mars rovers have provided the proof of Martians on the Mars Surface!!!!

  11. Martian on Mars Surface Photos

  12. The Secret Plot!!! • The two designers of the Optical Sensors Secretly Etched Two Martians on the Silicon Chip • There are four Martians on the Mars surface.

  13. A Burning Man Duck-Mobile!

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