Funding.

The aim of NANOCOSMOS is to understand the physical and chemical processes leading to the formation of cosmic dust. Astronomical observations and computer modeling by themselves cannot provide a full description of dust formation & processing and its interaction with gas-phase species. The original approach of NANOCOSMOS is to combine astronomical observations at high angular resolution and sensitivity, with modelling supported by top-level laboratory simulations.

The project lies on a synergetic approach between astronomers, vacuum and microwave engineers, molecular and plasma physicists, surface scientists, including both experimentalists and theoreticians, which is the key to provide a cutting-edge view of cosmic dust.

Nowadays, structure-property relationships are at the heart of modern molecular approaches to biomolecular systems. Knowledge of the different geometries adopted by biomolecules is crucial to gain insight into their biological functions. The structures are the result of a subtle yet complex balance between a significant number of different interactions, both intrinsic and environmental. In this project we extend our topics and studies to a large variety of important biomolecules such as testosterone or progesterone, as well as standard spectroscopic measurements to fully characterize prebiotic molecules in the ISM.

Nucleosides, carbohydrates, amino acids and peptides are still being studied so that their most stable structures and interactions can be unraveled in the isolation conditions of the gas phase. Knowledge on the different geometries adopted by biomolecules is crucial to gain insight on their biological functions. In this project we also explore sweeteners in order to characterize their corresponding glucophore, as well as chiral molecules. Moreover, ablation/discharge techniques are being used to produce metal-bearing molecules and other unstable species to be characterized, spectroscopically. These experiments are being complemented with standard spectroscopic measurements to fully characterize prebiotic molecules in the ISM.

Nucleosides, carbohydrates, amino acids and peptides are being studied so that their most stable structures and interactions can be unraveled in the isolation conditions of the gas phase. Knowledge on the different geometries adopted by biomolecules is crucial to gain insight on their biological functions. Moreover, ablation/discharge techniques are being used to produce metal-bearing molecules and other unstable species to be characterized, spectroscopically. These experiments are being complemented with standard spectroscopic measurements to fully characterize prebiotic molecules in the ISM.

The aim of this project is to achieve a high degree of synergy between Spanish astrophysicists, chemists and physicists, joining efforts to unveil the physics of molecules of astrophysical interest, with the final goal of preparing sound scientific foundations for the interpretation of the data that ALMA provides.

We have developed in our laboratory laser ablation techniques, coupled with high-resolution Fourier transform microwave spectroscopies, to remove organic solids and to interrogate them in the cold, isolated environment of a supersonic expansion. We address the challenge of exploring the conformational behavior of artificial sweeteners, small di- and tripeptides, steroids as well as other relevant biomolecules to understand the structure-properties relationship. We will make use of LA-MB-FTMW and LA-CP-FTMW high resolution spectroscopic techniques in order to establish possible structure-property relations.

In the field of astrochemistry, rotational spectroscopy, in the microwave and millimeter and submillimeter-wave regions plays a central role allowing the identification of new molecules en el interstellar system (ISM). In collaboration with the astrophysical groups of Max-Planck Institute (Bonn) and NRAO (Virginia, USA), we propose to carry out laboratory investigations on several prebiotic molecules.

The aim of this project is mainly focused on studying natural and artificial sweeteners by LA-MB-FTMW and LA-CP-FTMW high resolution spectroscopic techniques in order to establish possible structure-property relations.

The food industry is currently looking to design tasty new substances, not only maintaining a sweet taste but also avoiding undesirable health effects. Thus, Helios S.A., one of the companies leading the food sector in Spain, is presently collaborating with our group through this project.

Analysis of illicit drugs arises as an important field of work given the high social impacts presented by drugs in the modern society. Direct laser ablation of solid compounds allows their analysis without sampling or preparation procedures. For that purpose, an experimental set-up that combines laser ablation with time-of-flight mass spectrometry has been constructed very recently to perform studies on the mass spectra of drugs such as 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine, commonly known as MDMA or ecstasy.