SEMINÁRIO DO DEPARTAMENTO DE ASTRONOMIA
New frontiers on the study of early life
a talk by Douglas Galante (IGc-USP/Brasil) - In-Person
Abstract:
"The presentation discusses recent advances in the study of early life on Earth from an integrated life–planet perspective, emphasizing that the evolution of the biosphere is intrinsically coupled to the physicochemical dynamics of the planet throughout deep time. The terrestrial geological record—including stromatolites, microbial mats, microfossils, and potentially biomodified minerals—is presented as a natural laboratory for astrobiology, providing critical reference frameworks for the identification of biosignatures and the interpretation of potentially habitable environments on other Solar System bodies, particularly Mars.
Special emphasis is placed on the role of advanced analytical techniques in the investigation of biosignatures that have been extensively modified by billions of years of geological processing. The integration of optical and electron microscopy, spectroscopic methods, mass spectrometry, and synchrotron-based approaches enables multiscale, quantitative, and largely non-destructive analyses at micro- to nanometer resolution. These methodologies are essential for addressing the problem of biogenicity, allowing the discrimination between biological structures and abiotic features based on robust chemical, structural, and three-dimensional criteria. Finally, the presentation discusses how these same analytical strategies will be critical for the study of extraterrestrial samples returned to Earth, particularly in the context of future Mars sample return missions."
Short-Bio:
PhD in Astronomy (IAG–University of São Paulo), with a background in Molecular Sciences. Currently Professor of Geobiology at the Institute of Geosciences (USP) and former coordinator of the Sirius/CNPEM Carnaúba nanofocus beamline. Research interests include Geobiology, Astrobiology, Planetary Sciences, radiation effects on chemical and biological systems, origin of life, and planetary habitability.
Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/pcw-gmem-jyi
Link da transmissão: https://www.youtube.com/c/AstronomiaIAGUSP/live