Prebiotic-like chemistry on Titan

Raulin, F.; Brassé, C.; Poch, Olivier; Coll, Patrice

doi:10.1039/c2cs35014a

Cited by 91 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Organic growth processes through negative ion chemistry was also investigated between CN − ions and HC 3 N molecules (Žabka et al 2012). The first aim of these laboratory experiments is to address the question of how atmospheric chemistry can sustain the formation of complex organic matter and possibly prebiotic buildings blocks in a planetary system (Raulin et al 2012). This laboratory approach Fig.…”

Section: Simulation Facilities For Organic Aerosols In Planetary Atmomentioning

confidence: 99%

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

et al. 2017

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Scientists use the Earth as a tool for astrobiology by analyzing planetary field analogues (i.e. terrestrial samples and field sites that resemble planetary bodies in our Solar System). In addition, they expose the selected planetary field analogues in simulation chambers to conditions that mimic the ones of planets, moons and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space conditions, as well as the chemistry occurring in interstellar and cometary ices. This paper reviews the ways the Earth is used by astrobiologists: (i) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extant life from extreme environments, its metabolisms, adaptation strategies and modern biosignatures; (ii) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extinct life from the oldest rocks on our planet and its biosignatures; (iii) by exposing terrestrial samples to simulated space or planetary environments and producing a sample analogue to investigate changes in minerals, biosignatures and microorganisms. The European Space Agency (ESA) created a topical team in 2011 to investigate recent activities using the Earth as a tool for astrobiology and to formulate recommendations and scientific needs to improve ground-based astrobiological research. Space is an important tool for astrobiology (see Horneck et al. in Astrobiology, 16:201-243, 2016;Cottin et al., 2017), but access to space is limited. Complementing research on Earth provides fast access, more replications and higher sample throughput. The major conclusions of the topical team and suggestions for the future include more scientifically qualified calls for field campaigns with planetary analogy, and a centralized point of contact at ESA or the EU for the organization of a survey of such expeditions. An improvement of the coordinated logistics, infrastructures and funding system supporting the combination of field work with planetary simulation investigations, as well as an optimization of the scientific return and data processing, data storage and data distribution is also needed. Finally, a coordinated EU or ESA education and outreach program would improve the participation of the public in the astrobiological activities.

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Section: Simulation Facilities For Organic Aerosols In Planetary Atmomentioning

confidence: 99%

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

et al. 2017

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“…For example, these materials have been proposed to be the source of the distinctive orange, redbrown and black colors of comets and the atmosphere of planets and moons such as Saturn, Jupiter and Titan and carbonaceous meteorites, indicating their abundance in our solar system and the universe, respectively. 10,[14][15][16] However, the focus of prebiotic chemistry has always been on understanding the chemical origin of life and thus has remained highly fundamental research. 4 The application of prebiotic chemistry and specifically prebiotic polymers to material science has not been reported.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prebiotic-chemistry inspired polymer coatings for biomedical and material science applications

et al. 2015

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In the field of prebiotic chemistry, hydrogen cyanide (HCN)-derived polymers have been studied for many years as a possible source of the precursors that provide the building blocks for proteins as well as nucleic acids, and they have also been associated with the origin of life. The HCN trimer, aminomalononitrile (AMN), polymerizes to give a brown complex nitrogenous polymer. We report the one-step polymerization-deposition of AMN as a simple generic surface-coating method and as an application of prebiotic chemical research to material science. We found that this polymerization, carried out in buffered aqueous solutions, can be used to coat a wide range of organic and inorganic substrate materials. The robust, non-cytotoxic coatings also provide for excellent cell attachment, suggesting potential biomedical applications. Furthermore, the coating chemistry allows for the immobilization of other compounds, including metals, both during coating formation or by performing secondary immobilization reactions.

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“…Recent laboratory studies showed that when these tholins come into contact with oxygen-bearing molecules such as water (surface/subsurface ice on Titan), result in the formation of complex prebiotic molecules such as amino acids 5 and nucleobases 23,24 . Thus, atmospheric aerosol photochemistry has a key role in the processes leading to the potential prebiotic chemistry on Titan's surface 25 .…”

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confidence: 99%

Photochemical activity of Titan’s low-altitude condensed haze

et al. 2013

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Titan, the largest moon of Saturn and similar to Earth in many aspects, has unique orangeyellow colour that comes from its atmospheric haze, whose formation and dynamics are far from well understood. Present models assume that Titan's tholin-like haze formation occurs high in atmosphere through gas-phase chemical reactions initiated by high-energy solar radiation. Here we address an important question: Is the lower atmosphere of Titan photochemically active or inert? We demonstrate that indeed tholin-like haze formation could occur on condensed aerosols throughout the atmospheric column of Titan. Detected in Titan's atmosphere, dicyanoacetylene (C 4 N 2 ) is used in our laboratory simulations as a model system for other larger unsaturated condensing compounds. We show that C 4 N 2 ices undergo condensed-phase photopolymerization (tholin formation) at wavelengths as long as 355 nm pertinent to solar radiation reaching a large portion of Titan's atmosphere, almost close to the surface.

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Prebiotic-like chemistry on Titan

Cited by 91 publications

References 66 publications

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

Prebiotic-chemistry inspired polymer coatings for biomedical and material science applications

Photochemical activity of Titan’s low-altitude condensed haze

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