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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S47267/01
Title: Detection of Biomolecules from Evolving Life on Earth and Mars
Principal Investigator: Parnell, Professor J
Other Investigators:
Cooper, Professor J Porter, Professor A Sims, Professor MR
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Geology and Petroleum Geology
Organisation: University of Aberdeen
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 02 February 2004 Ends: 01 November 2007 Value (£): 427,610
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Analytical Science Population Ecology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Miniscule quantities of water have remained trapped in rocks since they formed at the Earths surface, in some cases for more than a billion years. i ne aim of the project is to attempt a wholly new approach to extract a biomolecular record from these water samples, providing a technique which could be applied to developing a new understanding of the evolution of life on Earth. The approach involves crushing the samples, liberating the fluid into a microfluidic handling system, and detecting zeptomole levels of biomolecules using surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering.The methodology will also make a substantial contribution to the nascent field of Astrobiology, and be used to obtain important information on returned samples or remotely accessed samples from Mars. To meet this objective, the technology will be miniaturized as far as possible.
Key Findings
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Summary
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.abdn.ac.uk