Objective
This multidisciplinary proposal has the objective to enhance our knowledge on the early steps of the evolution of life on Earth by providing a foundation for better deciphering the molecular fossil record as well as the geochemical signals hidden in ancient rocks. Based on the multiscale and multitechnique study of morphologically preserved microorganisms fossilized within ancient siliceous nodules, I propose to chronologically reconcile the evolution of metabolisms of life forms during the Precambrian with the variation of (sea)water paleo-temperatures registered by the silica matrix in which the investigated organic microfossils are embedded.
Spatially-resolved information on fossil organic constituent speciation and their structural relationships with the silica matrix will be obtained at the nanometer scale using a unique combination of spectroscopy and microscopy techniques, notably including STXM and TEM. Crucial information on paleo-metabolisms will be obtained from NanoSIMS experiments by measuring the stable H-C-N-S isotope composition of the investigated fossilized objects at the scale of individual cells. In parallel, laboratory experiments will be conducted to better assess the potential isotopic and molecular evolution of organic molecules during the fossilization process. Estimations of water paleo-temperatures – likely corresponding to oceanic paleo-temperatures – will be achieved based on the distribution of the silicon and oxygen isotopic composition of silica closely associated to the fossil cells, measured at the very high spatial resolution of the NanoSIMS. Furthermore, the study of natural proxies will provide a more profound understanding of the significance of the temperature registered by the isotopic compositions of Precambrian cherts. In addition to radically change scientific ideas about Precambrian Paleontology, the technical and scientific developments resulting from this work will be broadly applicable and serve numerous communities.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences palaeontology
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology molecular evolution
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2011-ADG_20110209
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
75005 Paris
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.