Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples01:10

X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples

4.0K
X-ray diffraction or XRD is an analytical tool that utilizes X-rays to study ordered structures such as crystalline organic and inorganic samples, polycrystalline materials, proteins, carbohydrates, and drugs.
According to Bragg's law, when X-rays strike the sample positioned on a stage, the rays are  scattered by the electron clouds around the sample atoms. The  X-ray diffraction or scattering is caused by constructive interference of the X-ray waves that reflect off the internal...
4.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same authorSame journal

The Viking's 50 Year Landing Anniversary Astrobiology Special Collection: Reexamining the Revolutionary Impact of Viking on Mars Exploration.

Astrobiology·2026
Same author

Methanotrophy under extreme alkalinity in a serpentinizing system.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Spatially distributed complex organic matter detected in an ancient river valley in Jezero crater, Mars.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Hematite is a mineralogical marker of ancient climate change on Mars.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same author

Mars Sample Return Sample Receiving Project Measurement Definition Team Final Report.

Astrobiology·2025
Same author

Stable Isotope Abundance Patterns as Potential Biosignatures.

Astrobiology·2025
Same journal

Viking's Astrobiological Legacy: A Philosophical Framework for Searching for Molecular Biosignatures.

Astrobiology·2026
Same journal

NASA Viking Mission: A Perspective of the Labeled Release Biological Experiment on Mars.

Astrobiology·2026
Same journal

Plasma and Thermal Processing Leading to Latitudinal and Temporal Variability of the Trapped O<sub>2</sub> at Europa and Ganymede.

Astrobiology·2026
Same journal

The Possible Aqueous Origins of Manganese Alteration Minerals in the Máaz Formation of Jezero Crater.

Astrobiology·2026
Same journal

Viking's Heirs: The Rise of Planetary Flyers.

Astrobiology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 13, 2025

Microfluidic Chips for In Situ Crystal X-ray Diffraction and In Situ Dynamic Light Scattering for Serial Crystallography
11:48

Microfluidic Chips for In Situ Crystal X-ray Diffraction and In Situ Dynamic Light Scattering for Serial Crystallography

Published on: April 24, 2018

14.8K

Crystal Habits as Potential Biosignatures.

Scott M Perl1,2,3, Ashley E Murphy4, Chinmayee Govinda Raj5

  • 1Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Astrobiology
|July 28, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study reviews crystal habits in terrestrial analogs to aid in identifying biosignatures on rocky planets and icy moons. Understanding these features helps distinguish life from non-life in extraterrestrial environments.

Keywords:
AstrobiologyCrystal habitsLife detectionMarsMineral biosignatures

More Related Videos

Fully Autonomous Characterization and Data Collection from Crystals of Biological Macromolecules
07:11

Fully Autonomous Characterization and Data Collection from Crystals of Biological Macromolecules

Published on: March 22, 2019

7.0K
Author Spotlight: High-Throughput Screening to Obtain Crystal Hits for Protein Crystallography
06:19

Author Spotlight: High-Throughput Screening to Obtain Crystal Hits for Protein Crystallography

Published on: March 10, 2023

4.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 13, 2025

Microfluidic Chips for In Situ Crystal X-ray Diffraction and In Situ Dynamic Light Scattering for Serial Crystallography
11:48

Microfluidic Chips for In Situ Crystal X-ray Diffraction and In Situ Dynamic Light Scattering for Serial Crystallography

Published on: April 24, 2018

14.8K
Fully Autonomous Characterization and Data Collection from Crystals of Biological Macromolecules
07:11

Fully Autonomous Characterization and Data Collection from Crystals of Biological Macromolecules

Published on: March 22, 2019

7.0K
Author Spotlight: High-Throughput Screening to Obtain Crystal Hits for Protein Crystallography
06:19

Author Spotlight: High-Throughput Screening to Obtain Crystal Hits for Protein Crystallography

Published on: March 10, 2023

4.8K

Area of Science:

  • Astrobiology
  • Geomicrobiology
  • Mineralogy

Background:

  • Terrestrial analog environments provide crucial insights into crystalline structures relevant to planetary science.
  • Distinguishing biogenic from abiotic mineral and crystal features is vital for life detection missions.
  • NASA's Center for Life Detection Knowledge Base has reviewed structural features for biogenic preservation potential.

Discussion:

  • Crystal habits are evaluated as potential biosignatures, requiring careful assessment of true and false positives.
  • Terrestrial reference measurements inform the scientific rationale for mission concepts and geomicrobiological assessments.
  • Morphological evidence from crystal habits is critical for extant and extinct life detection campaigns.

Key Insights:

  • Crystal habit analysis offers a method for interpreting geological and potentially biological features on other worlds.
  • Standardized evaluation of crystal habits enhances the reliability of biosignature detection.
  • This research provides a framework for assessing mineralogical evidence in the search for extraterrestrial life.

Outlook:

  • Future life detection missions can benefit from refined criteria for biosignature identification based on crystal structures.
  • Enhanced instrument capabilities may be developed to better resolve subtle biogenic imprints on mineral formations.
  • Continued study of terrestrial analogs will improve our understanding of life's potential on icy moons and rocky planets.