Exceptional Preservation of Fossils

ARC Laureate Fellowship Project

 

Interpreting the molecular record in extraordinarily preserved fossils: An unexplored archive of Earth’s environment over geological time

This Laureate project aims to unlock an untapped record of our planet’s past, by analysing fossils for new evidence of natural products, in the form of preserved biochemicals or their recognisable degradation products (biomarkers). The well-studied inorganic fossil record has provided a framework for understanding major events in the evolution of life and our planet. However, the proposed project aims to significantly advance current perceptions, by accessing the parallel but rarer organic record of ancient organisms entombed and exceptionally preserved in concretion fossils. Determination of the mechanics and controls of the rapid biofilm entrapment of these organic remains will also contribute valuable new information about geobiological functionality. Expected outcomes from an extension of the fossilised biomarker record are a new way for interpreting our planet’s past, with improved understanding of extinction, environmental change and consequent adaptation.

 

Completing the Story of Fossilization
Preservation of Fossils: Normal, Selective and Exceptional

Project Personnel

ARC Laureate Fellow

  • Professor Kliti Grice, FRACI CChem, FGSEAG, FAA

Senior Research Fellow

  • Dr Navdeep Dhami
  • Dr Paul Greenwood

Research Fellow

  • Dr Alex Holman

Research Associate

  • Dr Amy Elson
  • Dr Stephen Poropat
  • Dr Christopher Taylor

Technical Officer

  • Mr Peter Hopper

Outreach Officer

  • Ms Lisa Smith

PhD Scholars

  • Luke Brosnan
  • Andy Jian
  • Hridya Vijay
  • Madison Tripp

Collaborators

  • Prof. Derek Briggs – Yale University
  • Dr Jasmina Wiemann – Caltech
  • A/Prof. Jessica Whiteside – University of Southampton
  • Prof. Lorenz Schwark – University of Kiel
  • A/Prof. Marco Coolen- Curtin University
  • Prof. Michael Archer – UNSW
  • Prof. Morten Allentoft – Curtin University
  • Prof. Suzanne Hand – UNSW
  • Dr Vera Korasidis – University of Melbourne
  • Prof. Vivi Vajda – Swedish Museum of Natural History
  • Field Museum, Chicago
  • Smithsonian Institution

 

Project Media