NAI
2008 Annual Science Report
Pennsylvania State University
Reporting | JUL 2007 – JUN 2008
Molecular Signatures of Life on the Edge (DDF Project)
Project Summary
We have investigated the Dead Sea, as a possible analog of early Mars environments — slightly acidic and highly saline. We have used metagenomics, lipid analysis, and amino acid analysis.
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Institutions
3
Teams
0
Publications
0
Field Sites
Project Progress
We have moved forward on field work first. We have also completed half of our metagenomics sequencing including half of a 454 plate for the modern Dead Sea, half of a plate from the 1992 Dead Sea. We also have amino acid analysis and lipid analysis.
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PROJECT INVESTIGATORS:
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PROJECT MEMBERS:
Oded Beja
Collaborator
Aharon Oren
Collaborator
Andreas Teske
Collaborator
Zhidan Zhang
Research Staff
Katherine Dawson
Doctoral Student
Moshe (Mathew) Rhodes
Doctoral Student
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RELATED OBJECTIVES:
Objective 2.1
Mars exploration
Objective 5.1
Environment-dependent, molecular evolution in microorganisms
Objective 5.2
Co-evolution of microbial communities
Objective 5.3
Biochemical adaptation to extreme environments
Objective 7.1
Biosignatures to be sought in Solar System materials
