Czech Astrobiology

Topics and research groups

Biomarkers and Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy applied in exobiology, geobiology and microbiology. Evaluating and optimizing spectrosciopic techniques for field analysis.

Exobiology Group
Jan Jehlička, Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources
Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague



Algae and cyanobacteria from extreme environments

Investigations of polar and mountain photoautotrophic microorganisms, with an aim to understand their ecology, diversity and biogeography. Combining field sampling and laboratory experiments to address important questions from the autecological to the ecosystem level. Possibilities of novel chemical and spectroscopic analytical approaches to evaluate stress.

Cryoeco.eu
Linda Nedbalová, Department of Ecology
Faculty of Science
Charles University, Prague



Cryoeco.eu

Studies of the interactions between organisms and their environment in cryospheric ecosystems such as snow, glacier ice, and glacial sediments. Combining field sampling, experiments, laboratory analysis, and computer modelling. Recent focus on various aspects of cryosphere ecology, including carbon cycling at the surface and bed of the Greenland ice sheet, microbial community assembly in Arctic glacier-fed stream networks, and the phylogeny and evolutionary history of glacier ice algae.

Cryoeco.eu
Jakub D. Žárský, Department of Ecology
Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague



Theoretical and experimental studies related to the prebiotic chemistry of nucleic acids

Studies focused on the prebiotic chemistry of nucleic acids components by means of a combined experimental-theoretical approach. Experimental work using laboratory simulation of energetic events with pulsed lasers. Focus on the formamide-based synthesis of nucleobases.

Molecular Spectroscopy and Photochemistry
Martin Ferus, Department of Spectroscopy
J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry
Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague



Astrobiology events calendar

15th International GeoRaman Conference: GeoRaman 2022 Prague (29 August - 2 September)

GeoRaman 2022 Conference will be held in Prague, Czech Republic from 29 August to 2 September 2022. GeoRaman conferences are traditional biannual meetings of Raman spectroscopists from the geological, astrobiological, and cultural heritage backgrounds.


EANA International Spring School: Hydrothermal Vents (17 - 21 May)

EANA is celebrating its 20-years anniversary by organizing several special events throughout 2021.

Join the first EANA online school to learn about hydrothermal systems from interdisciplinary perspectives at the interfaces of geology, biology and chemistry.
Free of charge, register here:
https://forms.gle/iF4JJZkrYsb8ti9h7

Touchdown! NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover Safely Lands on Red Planet

Learn more about the rover and mission:
Perseverance rover
Mars2020 mission

NASA'S Perseverance Rover landing on Mars on February 18, 2021

After ~ 470 million km, the Perseverance rover completes its journey to Mars on February, 18, 2021. To reach the surface of the Red Planet, it has to survive the harrowing final phase known as Entry, Descent, and Landing.

Learn more about the mission:
Countdown and landing information
Perseverance rover
Sherlock instrument
VIDEO visualisation of Perseverance arrival at Mars

An illustration of NASA Perseverance rover exploring Jezero Crater . The ancient lake-delta system there is one of the best to search for signs of past microscopic life, to find and collect promising rock and regolith (broken rock and dust) samples for a possible future return to Earth.



EANA 2019: 19th EANA Astrobiology Conference

3 September - 6 September 2019 in Orleans, France
The third AbGradE workshop will be held on 1 - 2 September 2019 also in Orleans, France

European Astrobiology Institute
General Assembly 2019

28 May - 30 May 2019 at Liblice Castle, the Czech Republic

Mars Extant Life: What’s Next?

29 January - 1 February 2019 at the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, 400-1 Cascades Ave., Carlsbad, New Mexico, USA

50th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference

18 - 22 March 2019 Houston Area, USA

AbSciCon 2019

24 - 28 June 2019 Seattle, Washington, USA

European astrobiology webs

Astrobiology Society of Britain
Astrochemistry and Astrophysics
British Antarctic Survey
CASA (Centre of Advanced Studies in Astrobiology and Related Topics), Poland
Centro de Astrobiologia (CAB), Spain
CNES Exobio Website
CNRS interdisciplinary programme
Deutsche Astrobiologische Gesellschaft DAbG (German Astrobiology Society)
Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Germany
Department of Physical Sciences, The Open University, UK
DLR Institute of Planetary Research - Helmholtz Alliance "Planetary Evolution and Life"
Europlanet
ESA (European Space Agency)
ESA Directorate of Human Spaceflight
ESA Space in Images
ESA Science Website
ESA Solar System Division
ESA supported live astrobiology lectures
ESA Virtual Campus (International Space Station)
ESOC, Darmstadt
ESRIN, Frascati
ESTEC, Noordwijk
European Geophysical Union
European Science Foundation
European Space Science Committee
ExoLife, Austria
Finish Astrobiology Network (FAN)
French Society of Exobiology
Greek Astrobiology Community
INAF (National Institute for Astrophysics), Italy
Italian Society of Astrobiology
ITASEL (Italian Search for Extraterrestrial Life)
Leiden University: Astrophysics
LISA
Nordic Network of Astrobiology
Planet Topers Group, Belgium
Redespa - Spanish Planetary and Astrobiology Network
Signs of Life on Mars (SOLOM), Spain
Space Exploration Institute, Switzerland
Swedish Astrobiology Network
The Astrobiology Web
The Planetary Society
UK Centre for Astrobiology
VAAM Fachgruppe Weltraummikrobiologie