Izaskun Jiménez, the astrochemist looking for the building blocks of life in space: "The key molecules were formed in a really extreme environment"

Izaskun Jiménez, a Spanish astrophysicist specializing in astrochemistry, has been investigating how life might have originated by studying molecules found in space. Her research focuses on understanding the chemical processes that occur in extreme environments, particularly within interstellar clouds where future stars are forming. In 2023, she received a prestigious two-million-euro grant from the European Research Council (ERC) to advance her work on identifying the building blocks of life in these harsh conditions. This funding supports her ongoing efforts at the Center for Astrobiology (CAB/CSIC-INTA) in Madrid, where she has worked since 2018 after spending over a decade abroad at institutions such as the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in the United States, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Germany, and University College London. Jiménez’s research involves analyzing molecular emissions in radio waves, which allow scientists to study regions obscured by dense molecular clouds. These areas are crucial because they contain the raw materials necessary for star formation and potentially for the emergence of life. By examining the types of molecules present in these regions, researchers can gain insights into the chemical pathways that lead to complex organic compounds—essential components for life. Her work aims to identify specific molecules that could have played a role in the origin of life on Earth, possibly arriving via asteroids or comets from outer space. The scientist's fascination with radio astronomy began during childhood when she observed the massive antennas at NASA's Deep Space Network Station in Robledo de Chavela, near Madrid. Her parents lived close to this facility, sparking her early interest in the field. Now, her research seeks to understand how complex molecules can form under extreme conditions, such as temperatures approaching absolute zero and pressures vastly different from those on Earth. She emphasizes that the process of molecule formation in such environments is highly challenging, yet essential to comprehend how these compounds might eventually reach planetary surfaces and contribute to the origins of life. Her current project, funded by the ERC, spans five years and aims to determine which prebiotic molecules form in space and how they evolve throughout the formation of planetary systems. The goal is to trace their journey from interstellar clouds to asteroids and comets, ultimately reaching Earth. This research builds upon existing theories about the chemical evolution leading to life, focusing specifically on the initial stages before the emergence of primitive biological structures capable of replication or metabolic functions. Jiménez highlights the importance of collaboration between astrochemists and experts in prebiotic chemistry to explore how these molecular building blocks might combine to create the first living organisms. While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, her studies aim to provide critical data on the potential contributions of extraterrestrial sources to the development of life on Earth. By detecting and analyzing these molecules in space, scientists hope to uncover new clues about the origins of life and whether similar processes could occur elsewhere in the universe. As part of her recent activities, Jiménez delivered a lecture at the Ramón Areces Foundation, discussing her findings and the broader implications of her research. She remains committed to exploring the possibility that life may not be unique to Earth, emphasizing the need to continue searching for evidence of life beyond our planet. Her work continues to push the boundaries of scientific understanding, offering fresh perspectives on one of the most profound questions facing humanity: how did life begin?