Recent interest in Mars exploration could be linked to long-dormant research by an ISU professor on bacterial crystals similar to those found in a meteorite believed to be from the red planet.

Dennis Bazylinski, associate professor of biophysics, biochemistry and molecular biology, first connected with NASA in 1998.

Bazylinski became involved when crystals found in meteorite ALH84001, discovered in 1984 in Antarctica, were found to be very similar to a strain of magnetic vibrio bacteria particles identified on Earth. He had been working the particles for over a decade.

When he was contacted, NASA was attempting to discern if there was a link between his crystals and crystals in the meteorite that could have been produced by ancient bacterial life on Mars. Bazylinski described the crystals as “virtually identical.”

“NASA has helped to put my favorite bacteria in the limelight,” Bazylinski said. “We want to re-examine the qualities of the magnetic particles in ALH84001 and those produced by the magnetic bacteria to try to definitively prove that the magnetic particles in the meteorite are really from magnetic bacteria.”

Jiasong Fang, assistant professor of geological and atmospheric sciences, said magnetic vibrio bacteria are the only bacteria to produce magnetized crystals in their cell. Fang added these crystals could be used as to prove the existence of life on other planets if it is found in other space samples.

Although Bazylinski said the controversy surrounding his research has died down, he is still investigating the matter. He said he hopes to isolate the genes that are responsible for the mineralization of the bacteria and the resulting crystals.

He said although his research to try to link his bacteria to Mars is dormant, another aspect of the research is ongoing – the effort to mass-reproduce the genes responsible for making bacteria create crystals.

Bazylinski said depending on the cost, the magnetic particle industry could become very interested. At this time, an ounce of purified magnetite that comes from magnetotactic bacteria is worth more than an ounce of gold. Bazylinski is hoping to lower the cost significantly through mass-reproduction.

The research program is currently in the third year of a five-year grant worth a total of $500,000 sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

Bazylinski said he still continues to work closely with NASA, and he hopes to one day connect the magnetic bacteria crystals to those that were found in the meteorite.