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Projects
PITitleAhrens, TomSub-award from: Do Bugs Survive When Worlds Collide (C. Blank)Anbar, Ariel DavidMechanisms of Molybdenum Isotope Fractionation: Assessing a New Tool for the Study of Ancient Ocean RedoxAnbar, Ariel D.In search of early oxygen: Investigation of redox sensitive metal abundances and isotopes in Neoarchean drill coresArrhenius, GustafSearch for traces of life in Earth's oldest rocksBakes, EmmaA Prebiotic Photochemical Study of Early EarthBebout, BradMethanogenesis in Hypersaline Environments: The Use of Carbon and Hydrogen Isotopic Signatures to Evaluate the Biogenicity of Methane in a Mars Analogue Environment and on MarsBecker, LuannTraces of Catastrophe at the End PermianBenner, StevenExploring Plausibly Prebiotic Routes to Ribonucleosides. Borate minerals, water-poor environments, and organic chemistry that connect the interstellar medium to the RNA world.Benner, StevenResurrecting Src Homology 2 Domains Near the Origin of Multicellularity. Resurrecting Phosphotyrosine-Binding Proteins and Their Binding Phosphorylated Partners. Co-Evolution of Signal Transduction Paths Involved in Metazoan MulticellularityBenner, StevenReconstructing Ancient LifeBernstein, Max PaulA Laboratory Study of Low-Temperature Ice Photo-Chemistry as a Contributor to the Chemical, Chiral, and Isotopic Diversity of Meteoritic Amino AcidsBernstein, Max PaulLaboratory Studies of Interstellar and Solar System Radiation Processing as a Source of Organic MoleculesBhattacharya, DebashishEndosymbiotic Gene Transfer and the Evolution of the First Photosynthetic EukaryotesBlankenship, RobertThe evolution of photosynthesis and the transition from an anaerobic to an aerobic worldBoering, KristieNESSF (Chu): Experimental investigations of photochemically-generated organic aerosols and implications for climate, habitability, and the search for life on early Mars and early EarthBralower, TimothyBiotic Recovery After Mass Extinction: Ecological Response to the Cretaceous/Paleogene Boundary EventBrearley, Adrian JohnDistribution, origins and parent body processing of carbonaceous material in chondritic meteorites: Insights from in situ characterization using energy filtered transmission electron microscopyBrinckerhoff, William B.Organic Synthesis in Hypervelocity ImpactsBuick, RogerMetamorphism of Archean biosignatures: constraining the appearance of life on Earth and the search for fossils on MarsBurke, DonaldDESCOPE: Metabolic Kinase Ribozymes to Model RNA World Enzymology and Evolution (Aims 2 & 3 only)Cady, SherryRecognizing the Signatures of Thermophilic Biofilms: Cellularly Preserved Microfossils and Cellular RemnantsCasey, BillWhat are the Mg Isotopic-Signals for Photosynthesis?Catling, DavidEvolution of Biogeochemical Cycles and the Earth's Early AtmosphereChapman, MaryUpper Triassic Mass Extinction Event: Study Of 214 Ma And 201 Ma Rocks On The Colorado PlateauCharnley, StevenInterstellar Precursors of Meteoritic Organics - A Theoretical StudyCooper, GeorgeEnantiomeric and Isotopic Analysis of sugar derivatives and recently discovered compounds in carbonaceous meteoritesDe Witt, H. LangleyGSRP: Hydrogen's role in the production of organic hazes on early Earth and the outer planets; The effect of increased hydrogen mixing ratio on organic haze production on the early EarthDe Gregorio, BradleyGSRP: Resolving the biogenicity of Earth's oldest microfossils using electron energy-loss and X-ray absorption spectroscopies.Deamer, DavidOrigin and function of membranes in primitive cellular life.Des Marais, David J.Light Element Biogeochemistry of Microbial Communities in EvaporitesDesilvestre, IngridASASO Close-OutDiRuggiero, JocelyneMolecular Basis for Adaptation to Extreme Environmental Conditions of Halophilic MicroorganismsDiRuggiero, JocelyneEngineering Technologies for ExtremophilesDorit, RobertEl-Shall, SamyNew Pathways for the Formation of Complex Organics and Prebiotic Synthesis in the Gas Phase, in Nano Clusters, and on Dust Grain SurfacesFalkowski, PaulDESCOPE: Biosignatures in Evolving Planetary Atmospheres (Tasks 1 & 2 only)Farmer, JackGeomicrobiology and Fossil Biosignatures of Cold-Spring Carbonates (Tufas), Mono Lake (CA) and the Pleistocene Lahonton BasinFarquhar, JamesSulfur triple isotope stratigraphy of Archean Drill Core materialFerris, JamesStudies of Photochemical Processes on TitanFerris, James[NSCORT] Origins of Life: From Interstellar Molecules to IntronsFields, BrianSupernova Remnant--Heliosphere Collisions and Transport of Live Radioisotopes: Three Dimensional SimulationsFlynn, GeorgeCarbon, Nitrogen, and Oxygen Identification and Characterization in Interplanetary Dust Particles: An Examination of Primitive Organic Matter from the Solar System and the Interstellar MediumFox, George E.DESCOPE: The Origins of Translation and Early Evolution of Life (Riboswitch module only)Freeland, StephenBioinformatic Analysis of Genetic CodingFreund, FriedemannHydrogen in the Rock ColumnGaucher, EricInferring Ancient Local Environments Based on Resurrected Elongation Factor Proteins: From the Origins of Modern Bacteria to Eukaryotic Endosymbioses: Paleo-Evolutionary GenomicsGhadiri, RezaNESSF (Beierle): Potentially Prebiotic Peptide Based Oligomers for Dynamic Recognition of DNA and RNAGibson, Everett, Jr.DESCOPE: Carbon Chemistry of Martian Materials and Analogs (Task 2 only)Glavin, DanielInvestigating the Distribution and Isotopic Composition of Purines and Pyrimidines in Carbonaceous MeteoritesGogarten, PeterExploration of Sequence Space and the Evolution of the Genetic CodeGoodman, JasonDynamics of Hydrothermal Plumes on Europa: Implications for Surface Geology and Potential BioenergeticsGrimm, RobertNuclear-Magnetic Resonance and Electrical Measurements of Unfrozen Water in Mars-Analog Materials: Implications for Habitability at Subfreezing Temperatures on MarsGrinspoon, DavidThe Longevity of Oceans on Terrestrial PlanetsHamilton, DouglasDust as a Vehicle for the Transfer of Organics Between WorldsHartman, JoeSupport for Exo/Evo users of Ames Vertical Gun RangeHerzfeld, JudithSolid State NMR Studies of Prebiotic ScenariosHoehler, ToriProgram Support: California Academy of Sciences AdvisorHouse, ChristopherMediation of Early Microbial Evolution and Ecology by Cyanide Inhibition?Huang, FaqingThioester-Centered Metabolic Systems Based on Catalytic RNAHuang, YongsongCompound-specific isotopic study of carbonaceous chondrites: implications for the origin of meteoritic organic compoundsHud, NicholasIntercalation and Reversible Backbone Linkages: A New Approach to the Origin and Replication of Life's First Informational PolymersIwata-Reuyl, DirkMolecular and genetic investigations of RNA stability in hyperthermophilic ArchaeaJablonski, DavidEvolutionary Dynamics of Planetary Biodiversity Gradients: Origin, Maintenance and Future of Latitudinal TrendsJaffe, RichardQuantum Chemistry Study of Prebiotic Geochemistry Mechanisms: Reduction Reactions on Mineral SurfacesJoyce, GeraldEvolution of Catalytic RNA and the Origins of Life (Partial)Kasting, James F.Climate and Life on Early Earth and MarsKaufman, AlanA Stratigraphic Study of pCO2 Variations across Neoproterozoic Glacial Cycles through Ion Microprobe Carbon Isotope Analysis of Organic-Walled MicrofossilsKaufman, AlanEmpirical Estimates of Proterozoic CO2 Levels by In-Situ Ion Microprobe Carbon Isotope Analysis of Organic-Walled MicrofossilsKavner, AbbyGeochemical Signatures of Biological Charge Transfer ProcessesKenig, FabienMolecular fossils in Archean and Proterozoic sediments and metasediments: Multidimensional gas chromatography, high pressure catalytic hydrogenation and synthesis of butyloid standards. (Rephase?)Kennedy, MartinSecular rise of clay minerals as a control on the rise off oxygen and advent of multicellular lifeKirschvink, JosephMagnetofossils: A Novel Biosignature of Ancient EcosystemsKnauth, PaulIsotopic Paleotemperatures at Key Times in the Early History of LifeKnoll, AndrewNeoproterozoic evolution and environmental change: Integrated experimental and geological approachesKrishnamurthy, RamanarayananSearch for Potentially Primordial Genetic Systems.Lehman, NilesDevelopment of generalized RNA recombinase ribozymesLehman, NilesA Self-assembling Collectively Autocatalytic Set of RNA OligomersLehman, NilesNESSF (Burton): Selection in Vitro of a Ribonucleotide Reductase RibozymeLevison, HaroldThe Coupling of Outer Solar System Architectures to the Habitability, Hazards and Environment on Planets Near the Sun and Other StarsLiCata, VinceMolecular Mechanisms for the Persistence, Protection, and Repair of DNA and Proteins under Extreme Radiation, UV Light, and Dessicating ConditionsLowe, DonaldOrigin and implications of early Archean barite and associated sedimentary deposits in the 3.3-3.2 Ga Fig Tree Group, Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa, and their relationship to major tectonic, impact, and environmental eventsLyons, JamesQuantum chemical and chemical kinetics calculations of sulfur and sulfur exchange reactions related to mass-independent fractionation of sulfur isotopesLyons, TimothyOxygen Isotope Composition of Carbonate-Associated SulfateMagnani, LorisA Galactic Formaldehyde Survey to Identify the Galaxy's Habitable ZoneMargulis, LynnThe NASA Planetary Biology Internship Program (Year 2 funding issue...)Martin, ScotPrebiotic Metabolic Systems Driven by Colloidal Semiconductor PhotocatalysisMartindale, MarkThe Evolution of the Regulation of Cell-Cell Adhesion in a Basal MetazoanMcCollom, ThomasExperimental Investigation of Prebiotic Organic Geochemistry in Hydrothermal EnvironmentsMcKay, DavidPresumptive Mineral and Morphological Biosignatures in Terrestrial Samples and Martian MeteoritesMcKay, DavidMars Sample Return StudyMelott, AdrianDo Gamma Ray Bursts Damage Planetary Biospheres?Mojzsis, StephenExploring the Late Heavy BombardmentMonaco, LisaMonitoring of environmental contaminationMukhopadhyay, BiswarupA Novel Coenzyme F420-Dependent Sulfite Reductase from Methanocaldococcus Jannaschii: A Component of a Primitive Cell Biosynthesis and Detoxification SystemNewman, DianneInvestigating the Localization, Regulation and Biosynthesis of 2-Methylhopanoids (Inst. Xfer)Noffke, NoraMicrobially Induced Sedimentary Structures of Mesoarchean Ages - New Biosignatures for the Detection of Extraterrestrial Life [share w/ MFRP]Noll, KennethHorizontal Gene Transfer Into and Among the Thermotogales: Occurrence and Functional ImplicationsNuth, Joseph A.Natural, Iron-Silicate-Grain Catalyzed, Simultaneous, Fischer-Tropsch and Haber-Bosch Synthesis of Nitrogen-Bearing prebiotic Molecules in Protostellar NebulaeOno, ShuheiA Multi-Proxy Search for Atmospheric Oxygen in the 2.9 Ga Pongola Supergroup, Southern AfricaOremland, Ronald S.DESCOPE: Continued Investigations ofOremland, RonaldAcetylene as a Substrate for the Development of Anaerobic Microbial Ecosystems on Primordial Earth: Implications for Microbial Life on Planets and Satellites with Jovian/Titan-like Atmospheres.Orlando, ThomasNon-Thermal Generation of Prebiotic and Complex Organic Molecules within Interstellar and Planetary IcesPasek, MatthewReduced Phosphorus Assemblages as Sources of Reactive P the Origin and Evolution of Early LifePatzkowsky, MarkControls on Paleozoic Rates of Taxonomic Evolution: Ecology, Environment and PreservationPavlov, AlexanderMethane and sulfur in the Archean atmosphere. Organic and sulfur aerosols as UV-shields, "food" and climate drivers in the Archean environment.Pendleton, Yvonne J.DESCOPE: The Origin and Evolution of Organic Material in the Interstellar Medium: From Stardust to Planetesimals (observations only)Petaev, MichailSearch for Impact-Related Materials at the P-T BoundaryPizzarello, SandraMETEORITIC AMINO ACIDS AS ASYMMETRIC CATALYSTS IN PREBIOTIC CHEMISTRYPohorille, AndrewComputer Modeling of Protein-mediated Protocellular FunctionsPohorille, AndrewMechanisms and early evolution of protocellular transportPorter, SusannahUsing Skeletal Microstructure to Understand Early Animal Biomineralization and Phylogenetic Relationships of Early AnimalsReysenbach, Anna-LouiseMetabolic Plasticity in Chemolithoautotrophic Thermophilic Acquificales: Models for the Evolution of Early Metabolisms on Earth?Rosenzweig, RaphaelRevised: Evolution of Genome Architecture in de novo Yeast SpeciesRye, RobDeveloping Model-Based Temperature Constraints for the ArcheanSantos, OrlandoInnovative Concepts in ExobiologyScalo, JohnBiological Implications of Variations in the Cosmic Ray Flux at Planetary SurfacesScharf, CalebThe Formation and Evolution of Tidally Heated Habitable ZonesSchieber, JuergenInvestigating Morphological and Isotopic Biosignatures of Terrestrial Iron Bacteria -A Potential Mars AnalogSchmidt, FrancisRibozyme Evolution by TransactivationSchoonen, MartinDESCOPE: Role of Minerals in Prebiotic Chemistry (Tasks 1 & 2 only)Schulte, MitchellExperimental determination of the partial molal heat capacities and volumes of aqueous organic compoundsSessions, AlexanderInvestigating the Localization, Regulation and Biosynthesis of 2-Methylhopanoids (Inst. Xfer)Shain, DanielEnergetic Requirements of Cold Temperature AdaptationShock, EverettHydrothermal Ecosystems in a Solar System ContextSiefert, JanetGordon Conference on the Origin of LifeSiefert, JanetThe Genotype and Phenotype of Last Common Ancestors and the Evolution of Molecular InnovationSmith, MarkTitan Tholins: Origins and Definitive Functional Potential for Prebiological ChemistriesStark, GlennAbsorption measurements of SO2 isotopologues with application to sulfur isotope mass-independent fractionation during SO2 photolysisStoltz, John[Sub-award from Oremland] DESCOPE: Continued Investigations ofStoner, DaphneThe Search for Life on Worlds Around Other Stars: A Spectroscopic Analysis of Volatile Biogenic Signatures Emanating from Geothermal EnvironmentsStoner, DaphneA Strategy for Identifying Microbial Signatures in Heterogeneous Iron-Bearing Minerals: Spatially-Correlated Optical and Chemical Imaging of Microbial-Mineral InteractionsStrother, PaulA Comparative Study of Precambrian and Cambrian Terrestrially-Derived Organic RemainsSummers, David PatrickEnergy Transduction Inside Vesicles by the Photochemical Formation of NADH and Amino Acids with Colloidal TiO2 ParticlesSummons, RogerGlobal Biogeochemical Transitions: Molecular and Isotopic Markers for Biogeochemical Processes During Major Redox Shifts in the Ocean-Atmosphere SystemSumner, DawnDepth Gradients in Neoarchean Ocean Chemistry and Microbialite MorphologySwitzer, ChristopherDESCOPE: Search for a Prebiotic Replicator (alternative backbone only)Szostak, JackReplicating Vesicles and the Emergence of LifeThroop, HenryPhoto-evaporation and the Stability and Evolution of Volatiles in Pre-planetary DisksTolbert, MargaretLaboratory Studies of Early Earth Hazes: Aerosol Mass Spectrometer and Optical MeasurementsTolbert, MargaretAerosols and Clouds on Early EarthVoorhees, LarryNASA Postdoctoral ProgramWard, David M.Molecular and geochemical analysis of hot spring cyanobacterial and Chloroflexus mats as stromatolite analogsWeber, ArthurPrebiotic Synthesis of Autocatalytic Products from Formaldehyde-Derived Sugars as the Carbon and Energy SourceWeber, ArthurPrebiotic synthesis of autocatalytic and self-replicating molecules from sugars as the primary carbon substrateWhittet, DouglasEvolution of preplanetary matter in analogs of the early solar systemWinfree, ErikEnzyme-Free In-Vitro Evolution of DNA Tile Crystals as Model Primitive OrganismsWoon, DavidTheoretical Studies of the Extraterrestrial Chemistry of Biogenic Elements and CompoundsXiao, ShuhaiProbable Eukaryote Fossils Preserved in ArcheanZahnle, KevinSub-award from: Evolution of Biogeochemical Cycles and the Earth's Early Atmosphere (Catling)Zahnle, KevinPhotochemistry and impact-induced shock chemistry on Earth, Titan, comets, and beyondZent, AaronThe Role of Oxidants in the Martian RegolithZerkle, AubreyFractionation of multiple sulfur isotopes during biological sulfur oxidationAndersen, DaleDeep-water microbialites in a perennially ice-covered lake: A key to interpreting ancient microbialite morphologyBenner, StevenPrebiotic Routes to Carbohydrates Involving Borate MineralsBlank, JenniferAn experimental study of the generation and enantiomeric enrichment of sugars and amino acids in cometary impactsBlankenship, RobertThe Evolution of Photosynthesis and the Transition from an Anaerobic to an Aerobic World (ROSES 2007)Buick, RogerArchean paleobarometryCabrol, NathalieThermal Behavior and Detection of Caves on Earth and MarsCardon, ZoeLeaping to land -- physiology and phylogenetics of microscopic desert green algaeEigenbrode, JenniferSignatures of Life in Ice (SLIce): A multidisciplinary investigation of organic signatures and habitat of life in surface glacial iceGaucher, EricExploiting paleogenetics and experimental-evolution to reconstruct and recapitulate adaptive evolutionGhadiri, M. RezaDynamic Covalent Assembly and Selection of Prebiotically Plausible Informational OligomersGibson, EverettElemental, Isotopic, and Structural Characteristics of Earth's Earliest Life: Implications for Recognizing Remnants of Early Microbial Life on Earth and ElsewhereHinman, NancyExploration of Mineral Associated Bio/organic Signatures: Meeting the Challenge in the Search for Signs of LifeHoehler, ToriQuantifying the Habitability of Low-Temperature Serpentinizing SystemsHud, NicholasIntercalation Mediated Assembly and the First Informational Polymers of LifeHynek, BrianCerro Negro, Nicaragua: An analog for assessing the potential for life on early MarsJahnke, LindaOrganic Biomarkers: Community Diversity and Preservation in Silica-Rich Hydrothermal Systems with Implications to MarsJohnson, PaulChemistry of Biomarkers in Planetary Ices: A Laboratory InvestigationKanik, IsikA Laboratory Investigation on the Origin and Evolution of LifeKasting, JamesHabitable Planets: Oxygen and ClimateKnight, RobMeasuring the abundance of the simplest functional RNAsMonnard, Pierre-AlainPrebiotic formation of membranes and the role of membranes in energy uptake: An essential step in the origin of protocellular lifeMoore, MarlaInvestigating the Formation, Stability and Enantiomeric Ratios of Non-Protein Amino Acids in Low-Temperature Condensed-Phase ReactionsNicholson, WayneSurvival, Growth, and Evolution of Terrestrial Bacteria in Martian EnvironmentsNoll, KennethGenome-based Investigations into the Nature of the Common Ancestor of the ThermotogalesOrphan, VictoriaMicron-scale microbiological and microgeochemical characterization of sulfur cycling in microbial mats: a paired nanoSIMS sulfur isotope and CARD-FISH approachPapineau, DominicCarbonaceous associations with apatite in Precambrian banded iron formationsPopa, RaduBiosignatures in Volcanic Rocks - Microweathering of Olivine on Earth and MarsProckter, LouiseEffects of radiation damage on the geology of Europa and GanymedeRaymond, JasonThe Molecular Basis of Complexity: Using Network Analysis to Understand EvolutionSiefert, JanetBorrowing Biological Innovation: HGT in an Ancient Mariene HeterotrophSilberg, JonathanTemperature effects on protein evolutionSmith, MarkOrigins and Functional Potential in Complex Prebiological Molecules: Titan Tholins and related OrganicsSun, HenryBiological Accumulation of D-amino acids in Endolithic Microbial CommunitiesWood, StephenMars Subsurface Warming at Low Obliquity: Effects on the State and Distribution of Water