| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/D03194X/1 |
| Title: |
Raman Spectroscopy of Prebiotic Chemicals of Relevance to Astrobiology (COST D27 Working Group WG06) |
| Principal Investigator: |
Edwards, Professor HG |
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| Department: |
Faculty of Life Sciences |
| Organisation: |
University of Bradford |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
30 September 2005 |
Ends: |
29 September 2008 |
Value (£): |
20,838
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| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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This project forms part of a European research Working Group in pre-biotic chemistry and early evolution. All living organisms are composed of cells and the formation of the first cells (protocells) was a critical step in the origin of life processess. Lipid vesicles are now considered to be reasonable models of these early protocells; the chemical interactions between the simple lipid biomembranes, ions and uncharged molecules are key factors for the stabilisation and growth of the lipid matrices. Of special importance is the influence of water on the hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions of the lipid vesicles which affects the permeabilty of the prototype membranes towards other biomolecules such as proteins and amino acids. Raman spectroscopy is a micro-analytical technique for evaluating molecular interactions and consequent changes in biomolecules. Raman spectroscopy is now being evaluated for inclusion as novel instrumentation on planetary landers for the detection of extinct or extant extraterrestrial life. A Raman database of biomolecular signatures and their interaction with geological matrices will be extended in this project to include the lipid membrane-water-support systems to be studied here. These data will eventually inform future space mission probes as well as current studies of terrestrial extremophiles which exist at the limits of life in stressed enviromental conditions.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.brad.ac.uk |