The reliable identification of biosignatures is key to the search for life elsewhere.
organic chemistry
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Theoretical Investigations Of Propyl-cyanide Formation In Gas Phase And On Ice Mantles
Propyl cyanide (PrCN) (C3H7CN) with both linear and branched isomers is ubiquitous in interstellar space and is important for astrochemistry as it is one of the most complex molecules found […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Komatiites as Complex Adsorption Surfaces for Amino Acids in Prebiotic Environments, a Prebiotic Chemistry Essay
Komatiites represent the oldest known terrestrial rocks, and their composition has been cataloged as the closest to that of the first terrestrial crust after the cooling of the magma ocean.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Status Report
A Framework for Modeling Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Emission in Galaxy Evolution Simulations
We present a new methodology for simulating mid-infrared emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in galaxy evolution simulations.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Interstellar, Status Report
A Sequential Acid-base (SAB) Mechanism In The Interstellar Medium: The Emergence Of Cis Formic Acid In Dark Molecular Clouds
The abundance ratios between isomers of a COM observed in the ISM provides valuable information about the chemistry and physics of the gas and eventually, the history of molecular clouds.
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Protobiotic Network Reproducers Are Compositional Attractors: Enhanced Probability for Life’s Origin
The origin of life must have involved an unlikely transition from chaotic chemistry to reproducing supramolecular structures.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Detection Of HCN And Diverse Redox Chemistry In The Plume Of Enceladus
The Cassini spacecraft discovered that Saturn’s moon Enceladus possesses a series of jets erupting from its South Polar Terrain.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
One-pot Reaction Creates Versatile Building Block For Bioactive Molecules
Chemists from the University of Groningen have found a simple way to produce previously inaccessible chiral Z-alkenes, molecules that offer a significant synthetic short-cut for the production of bioactive molecules.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Mars, Meteorites & Asteroids, Press Release
Martian Meteorite Tissint Contains A Large Diversity Of Organic Compounds
The Martian meteorite Tissint contains a huge diversity of organic compounds, found an international team of researchers led by Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Munich’s Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin and including […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Status Report
Investigating The Impact of Reactions Of C And CH With Molecular Hydrogen On A Glycine Gas-grain Network
The impact of including the reactions of C and CH with molecular hydrogen in a gas-grain network is assessed via a sensitivity analysis.