Project description
Survival of life’s building blocks in space
The search for life beyond Earth depends on understanding how the essential molecular building blocks of life form and survive in space. A key question in astrochemistry is whether biomolecules originate before or after planets take shape. Astronomical observations have revealed complex organic molecules in regions where stars and planets are forming. Yet, discovering how these biomolecular precursors (BPs) form is only part of the puzzle. Scientists must also determine whether they can withstand the harsh conditions of interstellar space. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PSI-COM project will use specialised vacuum chambers to expose interstellar ice analogues to ultraviolet radiation, mimicking conditions in space. It will hopefully provide insights into the survival of BPs and life itself.
Objective
The universality of life i.e. the likelihood that life can form in extra-terrestrial environments hinges upon the availability of certain molecular building blocks. Whether the biomolecules of which we are made form before or after planet formation is an open question in astrochemistry; answering this question requires an understanding of the life cycle of biomolecular precursors (BPs) in various circum- and interstellar environments. Numerous complex organic molecules (COMs) with biological significance have been identified in star- and planet-forming regions through astronomical observations, motivating laboratory studies aiming to uncover the mechanisms by which prebiotic molecules are born during the early stages of planetary evolution. However, formation of BPs can only partially answer questions regarding the likelihood of life evolving elsewhere in the universe. It is also critical to understand the stability of such species in the harsh environment of the interstellar medium (ISM).
Whether small BPs would have sufficient lifetimes in the ISM to eventually coalesce into larger COMs is the central question of this research proposal, which concerns the Photo-Stability of Ice-bound Complex Organic Molecules (PSI-COM). Laboratory experiments on interstellar ice analogues containing selected BPs will be performed using a fully operational and highly-specialized ultra-high vacuum apparatus. Ices will be bombarded with ultraviolet radiation characteristic of that produced in dense interstellar clouds as well as in the diffuse ISM, and the chemical evolution will be tracked to yield kinetic and mechanistic information useful to astronomical models of star and planet formation. The results will be compared with or used to steer observational studies, such as the James Webb Space Telescope.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences planets
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy astrochemistry
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Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2311 EZ Leiden
Netherlands
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