The continental subsurface biosphere

Home

Research The continental subsurface biosphere The marine subsurface biosphere Novel microbes Astrobiology Origin of Life Carbon Cycling Bioenergetics

Research

The marine subsurface biosphere

Novel microbes

Astrobiology

Origin of Life

Carbon Cycling

Bioenergetics

Members Faculty Lab Manager Postdocs Students Mascots Alumni

Members

Faculty

Lab Manager

Postdocs

Students

Mascots

Alumni

Gallery

Publications Peer Reviewed Publications Edited Books Request a Manuscript

Publications

Peer Reviewed Publications

Edited Books

Request a Manuscript

News 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015

News

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Get Involved

The Amend lab is part of the NASA Astrobiology Institute Life Underground team that seeks to develop field, laboratory, and modeling approaches aimed at detecting and characterizing microbial life in the subsurface—the intraterrestrials. This study will inform the astrobiology community and guide future missions in the search for extraterrestrial life. The multi-institutional Life Underground team is currently focusing on several primary field locations, including the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in South Dakota, fractured rock near Death Valley, and a high pH serpentinizing system in northern California (The Cedars). We make use of legacy boreholes, advanced drilling technologies, and deeply-sourced springs to obtain samples. This access to the subsurface is complemented by in situ life detection and characterization, guided cultivations of intraterrestrials, and modeling of metabolic energy flow.