2017 Research in the Capitol
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation (UNI Access Only)
Keywords
Life--Origin; Titan (Satellite)--Atmosphere; Heterochain polymers;
Abstract
Titan’s atmosphere is unique in that its atmospheric chemistry is thought to be similar to that of the Earth’s atmosphere before the development of life. Aerosols form as a result of the radiation of organic gases by ultraviolet light. These aerosols are thought to be similar to the prebiotic hazes that formed in the atmosphere of Earth during the Archean Era and which allowed for the eventual development of microbial life. We are investigating whether Earth soil bacteria can grow, using these aerosol analogs as a nutrient source. This study is based on microbial metabolism study done by Carl Sagan, which detailed bacterial growth using Titan-analog tholins as the sole carbon source. We are building upon this study, using aerosol analogs that more closely match those of modern-day Titan coupled with modern day detection techniques. The tholins used in this study will are made from carbon-13 spiked gases, in order to quantitatively evaluate our results via a metabolic NMR study. The results of this study will provide new insights as to how Earth’s atmosphere could have supported primordial life.
Start Date
28-3-2017 11:30 AM
End Date
28-3-2017 1:30 PM
Event Host
University Honors Programs, Iowa Regent Universities
Faculty Advisor
Joshua Sebree
Department
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Copyright
©2017 Clare Laubenthal
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Laubenthal, Clare; Sebree, Joshua; and Sliwinski, Marek, "New Insights into the “Manna from Heaven” Hypothesis [Poster]" (2017). Research in the Capitol. 10.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/rcapitol/2017/all/10
New Insights into the “Manna from Heaven” Hypothesis [Poster]
Titan’s atmosphere is unique in that its atmospheric chemistry is thought to be similar to that of the Earth’s atmosphere before the development of life. Aerosols form as a result of the radiation of organic gases by ultraviolet light. These aerosols are thought to be similar to the prebiotic hazes that formed in the atmosphere of Earth during the Archean Era and which allowed for the eventual development of microbial life. We are investigating whether Earth soil bacteria can grow, using these aerosol analogs as a nutrient source. This study is based on microbial metabolism study done by Carl Sagan, which detailed bacterial growth using Titan-analog tholins as the sole carbon source. We are building upon this study, using aerosol analogs that more closely match those of modern-day Titan coupled with modern day detection techniques. The tholins used in this study will are made from carbon-13 spiked gases, in order to quantitatively evaluate our results via a metabolic NMR study. The results of this study will provide new insights as to how Earth’s atmosphere could have supported primordial life.
