MBLDP-R: A Multiple Biomolecules Based Rapid Life Detection Protocol Embedded in a Rover Scientific Subsystem for Soil Sample Analysis

Abstract

Abstract A rapid multiple biomolecules based life detection protocol (MBLDP-R) from soil samples is proposed to embed in a scientific rover subsystem targeted for planetary analysis missions complying the guidelines of Science Mission of University Rover Challenge 2021 (URC 2021). The proposed protocol selects suitable biomolecules from a preliminary list through a requirement analysis driven filtration process emphasizing two factors: a) rules of URC 2021 and b) compatibility of the biomolecule test equipment to be embedded in a rover subsystem. To sort out the best test methods for finally selected biomolecules, a weighted qualitative test scoring methodology is applied. A rover subsystem that implements the protocol was built to perform onboard sample analysis. Evaluation results show that: 1) ) the proposed MBLDP-R protocol could effectively predict the classes with an average f1-score of 98.65% (macro) and 90.00% (micro) and the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AUC-ROC) curve shows the sample categories to be correctly predicted 92% of the time (97% Extant, 88% Extinct and 92 % in case of NPL) and 2) the protocol is time-efficient with an average completion time of 17.60 minutes that demonstrates the rapid nature of the protocol to detect bio signatures in soil samples.