Geobiology
Brocks Geobiology researches the biological processes in deep time from the origin of life to mysterious ecosystems in Earth's earliest oceans and events.
About
Geobiology and paleobiogeochemistry researches the biological processes in deep time from the origin of life to mysterious ecosystems in Earth's earliest oceans, and events that may have spawned the evolution of complex multicellular life. To find clues about ancient ecosystems, the group studies molecular fossils of biological lipids (biomarkers) that can be preserved in sedimentary rocks for billions of years. Currently the group and students investigate the question why large, multicellular and active creatures appeared on Earth some 600 million years ago, and whether ancient oceans harbored a lost world of complex life that left no traces … possibly apart from a few obsolete molecules.
More information
Facilities
The Trace Biomarker & Organic Geochemistry Laboratory at ANU provides dedicated facilities for the ultra-clean analysis of molecular fossils. The laboratory was specifically designed and optimised for the detection of trace hydrocarbons preserved in billion-year-old sedimentary rocks and from archaeological materials.
The laboratory pioneered techniques for detecting and removing younger contaminants, enabling the recovery of authentic molecular signals from ancient organisms that inhabited Earth's early oceans. Research conducted in the facility has led to the discovery of the oldest known hydrocarbons (2.7 Ga), the oldest biogenic molecules (1.7 Ga), the oldest pigment that retains its original colour (pink, 1.1 Ga), and the oldest lipid biomarkers from an animal, the Ediacaran organism Dickinsonia (555 Ma).
Members
Faculty
Professor
Researcher
Honorary Professor
Honorary Professor
Technical specialist
Laboratory Manager
Student
PhD Candidate
PhD Candidate
News
Scientists from ANU have discovered the oldest colours in the geological record, 1.1 billion-year-old bright pink pigments extracted from rocks deep beneath the Sahara desert in Africa.
Three top ANU scientists elected to the Australian Academy of Science
Researchers say they have solved one of the biggest questions in science — how did humans and animals appear on Earth?
Surprisingly, the answer comes down to algae.
Location
The Geobiology Lab is located in Building Jaeger 1 of the Research School of Earth Sciences, second floor.