Research

Welcome!

      "How did life emerge?" is a central question to humanity. A key aspect of answering this question is determining how phosphorus became incorporated into biological systems. Phosphorus is the only element abundant in life that must have had a mineral source. The limited availability and reactivity of phosphorus bearing minerals on the early Earth makes it challenging to understand how this could have happened.

   Our laboratory used surface-sensitive experimental methods to investigate the reactivity of phosphorus-bearing minerals and salts such as schreibersite, metal phosphites, and hydroxyapatite. Our approach allowed us to monitor structure-reactivity relationships, reaction pathways, and the energetics of phosphorus activation in minerals. Using physical chemistry, we aimed to help answer the so-called phosphate problem in origin-of-life research.

     Research was performed by undergraduate students and master’s students at KSU for 13 years. After transitioning full-time to the Offfie of Research, Dr. Abbott vacated her space to make room for the next generation of faculty at KSU.

Want to learn more?

How did we study chemical reactions on solid surfaces in the ALL?

What is the role of phosphorus-containing minerals in the origin of life?

Who was in the Abbott-Lyon Laboratory?

Check out our publications!

Thank you!

We gratefully acknowledge support from the following organizations over the years.