How universal are life’s building blocks? Organic molecules have been detected on rocky bodies, meteorites,
and in the interstellar medium. Do prebiotic molecules from exogenous or planetary sources predetermine
the possible monomers that lead to biopolymers? Do prebiotic polymerisation processes select certain
monomers over others and if so, how is it influenced by planetary conditions? We aim to investigate
the role of the environment on the polymerisation of exogenous-delivered, monomeric building blocks of
life. We will examine prebiotic polymerisation routes at the interface of atmosphere and mineral
surfaces with and without water in conditions relevant for Early-Earth, Mars and Titan. We will
investigate the branching effects of polymerisation using key differences between monomers from exogenous
and in-situ sources, including the effect of the carbon chain and enantiomer excess. We will examine
the control of the environment on these polymerisation processes, focussing on the structural properties
of minerals and the oxidation effect of the atmosphere. Probing the polymerisation routes will allow
us to guide analysis for (future) planetary missions as well as provide critical links between other
PEPSci projects with rocky body environments. ( Credits)
For here am I sitting in a tin can / Far above the world /
Planet Earth is blue / And there's nothing I can do
David Bowie
About me
Favorite planet: Earth
Favorite moon: Moon
My Project
I investigate polymerisation reactions of amino acids on mineral-atmosphere interfaces, using enclosed laboratory experiments that simulate different planetary conditions.