Here are the key takeaways about this story in our quick 30-second read:
- Scientists developed a simple test using the amino acid L-serine to detect life by prompting microbes to move
- Process is called chemotaxis, a strong indicator of living organisms
- The method was tested on three different organisms that can survive in harsh conditions, similar to those found on Mars, and all showed movement toward L-serine
- The test uses a slide with two chambers separated by a membrane: microbes are placed on one side, L-serine on the other. If the microbes are alive and able to move, they swim toward the chemical
- Approach could make life detection on Mars cheaper, faster and more reliable, as it requires minimal equipment and could be automated for future space missions.
- By targeting both bacteria and archaea, the method broadens the types of life that could be detected, making it a promising tool for astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life.
This is a summary of a longer original article. To understand more about this science and its implications for Mars missions, be sure to read the full feature L Serine microbes mars life.
