Exobiological prospecting

Several emerging technologies are being investigated for detecting potentia l extraterrestrial microbial life, either extinct and/or extant (living). T hese technologies are particularly relevant for future exobiological search es on Mars and Europa, the two most promising candidates in this solar syst em for harbouring extraterrestrial life. Two systems are discussed: ATP mea surement and Raman spectroscopy. In particular, experiments are described i n which samples from Antarctica (an analogue environment for ancient Mars) have been analysed using Raman spectroscopy. This technology is perhaps the most versatile for searching for both extinct and extant organisms.