EXOA5 | Mineral surfaces in the origin and detection of Life on Earth and beyond

EXOA5

Mineral surfaces in the origin and detection of Life on Earth and beyond
Co-organized by TP
Convener: Electra Kotopoulou | Co-conveners: Albert Rimola, Vassilissa Vinogradoff

Mineral surfaces might have played a pivotal role in the concentration, oligomerization, and compartmentalization of biologically relevant organic molecules, shielding them from radiation and hydrolysis. Concurrently, abiotic mineral precipitates known as biomorphs are able to mimic microbial cells and biologic remnants both morphologically and chemically. Join us in this session as we explore the dual role of minerals in igniting prebiotic chemical reactions and in hindering the detection of Life on Earth and Beyond. We welcome contributions focusing on reactions of mineral and/or metal surfaces with organic molecules in early Earth conditions and in extraterrestrial settings, such as interstellar media, icy moons, cometary environments and others. Topics can include both experimental and computational work tied to: i) adsorption processes and chemical reactivity of biomolecules on mineral surfaces, ii) hydrothermal alteration of organic matter in presence of minerals, iii) vesicle and protocell formation assisted by minerals, iv) the role of minerals/metals in the production of protometabolic reaction networks, v) mineral self-organized patterns and biomorphs that obscure the detection of true biosignatures and Life traces, including examples from laboratory experiments and field studies.

Mineral surfaces might have played a pivotal role in the concentration, oligomerization, and compartmentalization of biologically relevant organic molecules, shielding them from radiation and hydrolysis. Concurrently, abiotic mineral precipitates known as biomorphs are able to mimic microbial cells and biologic remnants both morphologically and chemically. Join us in this session as we explore the dual role of minerals in igniting prebiotic chemical reactions and in hindering the detection of Life on Earth and Beyond. We welcome contributions focusing on reactions of mineral and/or metal surfaces with organic molecules in early Earth conditions and in extraterrestrial settings, such as interstellar media, icy moons, cometary environments and others. Topics can include both experimental and computational work tied to: i) adsorption processes and chemical reactivity of biomolecules on mineral surfaces, ii) hydrothermal alteration of organic matter in presence of minerals, iii) vesicle and protocell formation assisted by minerals, iv) the role of minerals/metals in the production of protometabolic reaction networks, v) mineral self-organized patterns and biomorphs that obscure the detection of true biosignatures and Life traces, including examples from laboratory experiments and field studies.