Astrobiogeochemistry Laboratory

Sampling the solar system for signs of life

About the abcLab


Welcome to the abcLab at JPL! Our mission is to study the formation, preservation and detection of morphologic, mineralogic, molecular and isotopic signs of life and environment in geologic samples. We seek to understand the co-evolution of living and non-living planetary systems from the earliest evidence for life on Earth to the present. While most of our field and laboratory work focuses on Earth systems, our goal is always to apply what we learn to the search for signs of life and environment beyond Earth. In particular, we seek to develop innovative methods and interpretive contexts to inform the selection, acquisition, potential return and analysis of samples from Mars.