We propose novel measurements and predictive models of isotopes within organic molecules found in meteorites, deep earth fluids, organisms, and associated with minerals, ICE, and ancient sediments.…

This is a $2,682,161.75 cooperative agreement awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Shared Services Center to The Pennsylvania State University, doing business as Penn State, on April 19, 2018. The agreement does not have a set-aside designation.

The agreement funds a research project that aims to develop novel measurements and predictive models of isotopes within organic molecules found in meteorites, deep Earth fluids, organisms, and associated with minerals, ice, and ancient sediments. The proposed research will include measurements of position-specific isotope abundances within organic compounds, and the use of thermodynamic and metabolic models to link chemical, physical, and biological processes to molecular isotope signatures. This work supports numerous NASA Astrobiology Science Strategies and multiple NASA CAN-7 research centers, and is intended to build scientific and analytical capacity for anticipated sample return missions and future exploration of the solar system.

We propose novel measurements and predictive models of isotopes within organic molecules found in meteorites, deep earth fluids, organisms, and associated with minerals, ICE, and ancient sediments. Studies will include measurements of position-specific isotope abundances within organic compounds from nature and generated in carefully controlled abiotic and biotic experiments. We will use thermodynamic and metabolic models, informed by our observations, to link chemical, physical, and biological processes to molecular isotope signatures. The knowledge and tools developed from these studies will open an exciting frontier for understanding abiotic and biotic signatures held within organic structures. This proposal brings together an international team of leading experts with deep knowledge of isotopes and carbon compounds on earth and beyond in space and planetary environments. Our strongly interdisciplinary team seeks to answer the key question: to what degree do isotopes within molecules explicitly reveal the origins and history of organic compounds? The proposed research supports numerous NASA astrobiology science strategies and multiple can-7 research centers. The proposed work will build scientific and analytical capacity for anticipated sample return missions and future exploration of the solar system.