Astrobiology: Development of Tools for Assessing the Presence of Microbial Life Outside Planet Earth

7-8 September 2023

Dr Saskia Bindschedler, UNINE 

Dr Mathilda Fatton, UNIBE

- Prof. Émeline Bolmont, UNIGE

- Prof. Susanne Wampfler (CSH-UNIBE)

- Dr Mathilda Fatton, UNIBE

- Dr Lucas Patty 

- Dr Tomaso Bontognali, Space-X & Uni Basel

The possibility of finding life beyond the Earth has always fascinated humans. Novel developments on planetary exploration are starting to create the conditions for the assessment of the presence of life in Earth's near vicinity. However, the search for life elsewhere requires a deep understanding of life on Earth, and the nature of the environments that support it. In addition, this must be complemented by an understanding of planetary system and stellar interactions and processes. Therefore, the topic is intrinsically interdisciplinary and requires the combined skills and knowledge of multiple disciplines. The goal of this 2-day course is to provide the principles of such interdisciplinary knowledge first by lectures on: - Diversity of microbial habitats akin to extraterrestrial environments, as well as the diversity of their inhabitants. - Discovering potentially habitable exoplanets - Characterising exoplanet atmospheric composition and dynamics In addition, a practical session will be devoted to training in methods for detecting life remotely in the solar system and beyond.

Final program:

Day 1 – Sept 7 (Faculty of Science, room B104 & Botanical garden, Neuchâtel)

Day 2 – Sept 8 (Faculty of Science room B104, Neuchâtel)

University of Neuchâtel - Room B104

Presentations

Participants will be asked to prepare a presentation to be given on day 2. For this, we will create beforehand groups of students/participants coming from different fields of expertise. We will ask them to combine their expertise and illustrate how their different field of work can be integrated in a project to detect life beyond Earth. A selection of papers provided by the speakers will be provided in advance to prepare for this and time for group work is allocated in the program.

Reimbursements for CUSO students:

- Train ticket, 2°class, half-fare from your institution to the place of the activity.

Registration: close

Registration fee: Free for CUSO Microbiology PhD members. 150.- for non PhD members (plus travel expenses).

Deadline for registration :25.08.2023

Cancellation fee: 50.- if cancellation after the 25.08.23

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