Events

Speaker: Eloi Camprubi-Casas, Assistant Professor, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Host: Elizabeth Spiers

Title: On wet rocky worlds – How does origin of life research impact space exploration efforts at ocean worlds?

Abstract: Many settings have been proposed as the cradle of life on Earth. Amongst these, Hadean alkaline hydrothermal systems have been proposed as electrochemical reactors driving an autotrophic origin of life. Recent experimental discoveries demonstrate some of the crucial synthetic steps are indeed favored under these conditions. We have developed a high-pressure microfluidic reactor to simulate the out-of-equilibrium conditions found in these extreme submarine environments. How does this research impact the strategy for biosignature detection at Ocean Worlds? What role does the icy surface environment play when trying to detect signs of life? This talk will present the work done at the Astrobiochemistry Lab at UTRGV connecting abiogenesis and biosignatures research.