Molecular mapping of lipid biomarkers with Time-of-Flight - Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (TOF-SIMS): a feasibility study.

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Volker Thiel
• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
• Term: from 2006 to 2007
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 31230282

Final Report Abstract

The purpose of this project was to test the feasibility of ToF-SIMS as an analytical tool in biosignature studies. Emphasis was placed on (1) the generation and interpretation of basic spectral reference data for major biolipids and geolipids, and (2) the identification and molecular mapping of these biomarkers in geobiological materials, ranging from sediment extracts over microbial mats to solid rocks.

Publications

• Goldschmidt-Conference 2007 in Cologne: Jan Toporski and Volker Thiel (chairs): Organic Imaging - Biomarkers at the Microscopic Range. Scientific session at the Goldschmidt-Conference 2007, 20.08-24.08.2007, Cologne, Germany
  
  
• Goldschmidt-Conference 2007 in Cologne: Siljeström S, Hode T, Lausmaa J, Toporski J, Thiel V, Sjövall P (2007) Detection of Biomarkers in Oils using ToF-SIMS; Goldschmidt-Conference 2007, 20.08-24.08. in Köln, Germany.
  
  
• Heim C., Lausmaa J., Sjövall P., Arp G., Hahmann U., Thiel V. (2007) ToF-SIMS imaging of Biomarkers in microscopic sections of microbial mats. 23rd International Meeting on Organic Geochemistry, 09.09.-14.09.2007, Torquay, England.
  
  
• Lausmaa J., Heim C., Sjövall P., Thiel V. (2007) ToF-SIMS analysis of biomarkers in geological samples. 16th International Conference on Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS XVI), 29.10.- 02.11.2007, Kanazawa, Japan
  
  
• Siljeström S., Hode T., Lausmaa J., Toporski J., Thiel V., Sjövall P. (2006) Biomarker identification in oils using ToF-SIMS; NASA Astrobiology Science Conference 2006, Washington DC, U.S.A.
  
  
• Thiel, V., Toporski J., Schumann G., Sjövall P., Lausmaa J. (2007) Analysis of archaeal core ether lipids using Time of Flight - Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS): Exploring a new prospect for the study of biomarkers in geobiology. Geobiology 5, 75-83.