Expanding the Agnostic Biosignature Toolkit: Estimating Molecular Assembly with GC-MS

Explore a research presentation on expanding the agnostic biosignature toolkit for life detection on other worlds. Learn about the development of molecular assembly theory as a promising approach for quantifying organic molecule complexity using mass spectrometry. Discover the challenges and potential of using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for estimating molecular complexity in extraterrestrial missions. Examine the research questions, methodology, and findings of a study that investigates the relationship between unique fragment numbers and molecular assembly index. Gain insights into the application of this workflow to analyze compounds in cyanobacterial extracts and Murchison meteorite samples. Understand the implications of this research for future instrument development and life detection missions in astrobiology.

Astrobiology Colloquium Research Rotation presentation Joshua Sacks