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Head of the research group

Pierre ADAM
Directeur de Recherche au CNRS

Year of creation of the group- 2007

Location

Le Bel Institute, 7th floor South

Secretarial and accounting services provided by

Paola SAGER
email: paola.sager@unistra.fr
Phone : +33 (0)3 68 85 12 41

Permanent members

Non-permanent members (march 2024)

PhD student

• Alice FRADET

Description of the research group

The Molecular Biogeochemistry research group is specialized in the detailed molecular study of complex organic mixtures from recent and ancient sediments, soils, microbial or vegetal biomass, archaeological objects or organic industrial additives (thematic in relation with the Industry). It is part of the Doctoral School of Chemical Sciences and is host laboratory for Masters in Analytical Sciences; Molecular & Supramolecular Chemistry; Chemistry, Biology & Medicines.

Research topics

The research topics of the Molecular Biogeochemistry Laboratory are at the interface between analytical organic (bio) chemistry, synthetic chemistry, and natural product chemistry.

Main areas of research

The developed research themes focus on four main axes.

1. Organic Geochemistry - Development of novel molecular and isotopic tools for the investigation of recent and ancient ecosystems and the reconstitution of ancient environments. Our studies aim at investigating the evolution of natural environments during geological times in relation with climatic or biological changes and anthropic factors.

2. Molecular archaeology - Molecular investigation of organic substances from archeological items (balms, amber,…) or soils aimed at elucidating, notably, their origin and significance, their mode of preparation, past trade routes, past cultural practices, etc.

3. Biogeochemistry of microbial lipids - Investigation of the lipidome from microorganisms (bacteria, archaea) in relation with their adaptation strategies to environmental changes (temperature, salinity, pH). These studies also aim at developing novel molecular markers for biogeochemical processes such as, for instance, specific hopanoids synthesized by anammox bacteria.

4. Collaboration with the Industry – Investigation of alteration processes of additives from engine lubricants under thermo-oxidative conditions. Investigation at the molecular level of the interactions between different families of additives.

The specific molecular approach used for the development of the various research projects are based on the structural identification of molecular markers using mass spectrometry (GC-MS, LC-MS). Under certain circumstances, the structure of substances of interest can be determined either using NMR studies after isolation from complex matrices or by the synthesis of standards. This work is carried out within the framework of numerous academic (national and international) and industrial collaborations.

List of equipment and instruments

• 3 gas chromatographs (flame ionization detector, GC-FID)
• 2 Analytical and preparative HPLC modules (detection: diode array, refractive index)
• 1 Gas Chromatograph coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC-MS-MS), detection : EI and CI (NH₃, i-Bu, CH₄)
• 1 Gas chromatograph coupled with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (C, H, N, O ; GC-IRMS)
• 2 HPLC modules coupled with ion trap mass spectrometers (detection : APCI, ESI, APPI, DAD)

Recent publications

Y.M. Kiw, P. Adam, P. Schaeffer, B. Thiébaut, C. Boyer, N., Obrecht
Molecular evidence for improved tribological performances of MoDTC induced by methylene-bis(dithiocarbamates) in engine lubricants.
RSC Advances, 2022, 12, 23083-23090.
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RA03036E

M. Tourte, P. Schaeffer, V. Grossi, P.M. Oger
Membrane adaptation in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus relies upon a novel strategy involving glycerol monoalkyl glycerol tetraether lipids.
Environmental Microbiology, 2022, 24, 2029-2046.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.15923 (hal-03434057).

N. de Lama Valderrama, P. Schaeffer, A. Leprince, S. Schmitt, P. Adam
Novel oxygenated fossil nor−diterpenoids from Cretaceous amber (South−Western France) as potential markers from Cupressaceae and/or Cheirolepidiaceae.
Organic Geochemistry, 2022, 167, 104372.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2022.104372 (hal-03448347t).

Y.M. Kiw, P. Adam, P. Schaeffer, B. Thiébaut, C. Boyer
Molecular evidence for sulfurization of molybdenum dithiocarbamates (MoDTC) by zinc dithiophosphates: a key process in their synergetic interactions and the enhanced preservation of MoDTC in formulated lubricants.
RSC Advances, 2022, 12, 3542-3553.
https://doi.org/10.1039/d1ra08657j (hal-03451155t).

M. Tourte, P. Schaeffer, V. Grossi, P.M. Oger
Acid hydrolysis for the extraction of archaeal core lipids and HPLC-MS analysis.
Bio-protocol, 2021, 11, 4118.
https://doi.org/10.21769/bioprotoc.4118 (hal-03379753).

F. Vandier, M. Tourte, C. Doumbe-Kingue, J. Plancq, P. Schaeffer, P. Oger, V. Grossi
Reappraisal of archaeal C₂₀-C₂₅ diether lipid (extended archaeol) origin and use as a marker of hypersalinity.
Organic Geochemistry, 2021, 159, 104276.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2021.104276 (hal-03289860).

L.M. Van Maldegem, B.J. Nettersheim, A. Leider, J.J. Brocks, P. Adam, P. Schaeffer, C. Hallmann
Geological alteration of Precambrian steroids mimics early animal signatures.
Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2021, 5, 169–173.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01336-5 (hal-02981371).

R. Schwartz-Narbonne, P. Schaeffer, E. Hopmans, M. Schenesse, E. Charlton, M. Jones, J.S. Sinninghe Damsté, M. Farhan Ul Haque, M.S.M. Jetten, S.K. Lengger, C. Murrell, P. Normand, G.H.L. Nuijten, H.M. Talbot, D. Rush
A unique bacteriohopanetetrol stereoisomer of marine anammox.
Organic Geochemistry, 2020 143, 103994.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2020.103994 (hal-02553771)

M. Tourte, V. Kuentz, P. Schaeffer, V. Grossi, A. Cario, P.M. Oger
Novel intact polar and core lipid compositions in the Pyrococcus model species, P. furiosus and P. yayanosii, reveal the largest lipid diversity amongst Thermococcales.
Biomolecules, 2020, 10, 830.
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10060830t (hal-02861881).

M. Tourte, P. Schaeffer, V. Grossi, P.M Oger
Functionalized membrane domains: An ancestral feature of archaea.
Frontiers in Microbiology, 2020 11, 526.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00526 (hal-02553764).

Y.M. Kiw, P. Schaeffer, P. Adam, B. Thiébaut, C. Boyer, G. Papin
Ligand exchange processes between molybdenum and zinc additives in lubricants: evidence from NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P) and HPLC−MS analysis.
RSC Advances, 2020, 10, 37962−37973.
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA07329F. (hal-02981371).

F. Salomon, D. Bernal−Casasola, J. Díaz, M. Lara, S. Domínguez−Bella, D. Ertlen,P. Wassmer,P. Adam,P. Schaeffer,L. Hardion,C. Vittori,S. Chapkanski, H. Delile,L. Schmitt,F. Preusser, M. Trautmann, A. Masi, C. Vignola, L. Sadori, J. Morales, P. Vidal Matutano, V. Robin, B. Keller, A. Sanchez Bellón, J. Martínez López, G. Rixhon High−resolution late Holocene sedimentary cores record the long history of the city of Cádiz (south−western Spain).
Scientific Drilling, 2020, 27, 35−47.
https://doi.org/10.5194/sd−27−35−2020 (hal-02733462).

D. Schwartz, V. Robin, P. Adam, P. Schaeffer, A. Gebhart, P.-A. Herrault, B. Keller, D. Dapiaggi, C. Stevenel, M. Thiss, M. Trautmann, D. Ertlen
Les géosciences au service de l’archéologie agraire. Une étude de cas sur les rideaux de culture de Goldbach (68).
Archimède : archéologie et histoire ancienne, 2020, 7, 205−216.
https://doi.org/10.47245/archimede.0007.act.08 (halshs-02893674).

I. Jovovic, V. Grossi, P. Adam, F. Gelin, M. Ader, I. Antheaume, L. Simon, P. Cartigny
Quantitative and specific recovery of natural organic and mineral sulfur for (multi−)isotope analysis.
Organic Geochemistry, 2020, 146: 104055.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2020.104055 (hal-02963254).

J. Perthuison, P. Schaeffer, P. Debels, P. Galant, P. Adam
Betulin-related esters from birch bark tar: identification, origin and archaeological significance.
Organic Geochemistry, 2020, 139, 103944.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2019.103944 (hal-02335022).

P. Schaeffer, L. Bailly, E. Motsch, P. Adam
The effects of diagenetic aromatization on the carbon and hydrogen isotopic composition of higher plant di- and triterpenoids: evidence from buried wood.
Organic Geochemistry, 2019, 136, 103889.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2019.06.010 (hal-02317649).

B. Courel, P. Adam, P. Schaeffer
The potential of triterpenoids as chemotaxonomic tools to identify and differentiate genuine, adulterated and archaeological balsams.
Microchemical Journal, 2019, 147, 411-421.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2019.03.035 (hal-02317831).

B. Courel, P. Schaeffer, C. Féliu, Y. Thomas, P. Adam
Birch bark tar and jewellery: the case study of a necklace from the Iron age (Eckwersheim, NE France).
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2018, 20, 72-79.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.04.016 (hal-02324638).

P. Adam, P. Schaeffer, J. Brocks
Synthesis of 26-methyl cholestane and identification of cryostanes in mid-Neoproterozoic sediments.
Organic Geochemistry, 2018, 115, 246-249.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2017.11.006 (hal-02317658).

Additional information

• Industrial collaborations: TotalEnergies

• National and international academic collaborations:

• Institut National de Recherches Archéologiques Préventives (INRAP, France)
• Archéologie Alsace, Sélestat, France.
• Laboratoire Image, Ville, Environnement (UMR 7362, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg), France.
• Equipe Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes (M2E), INSA Villeurbanne, France.
• Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon: Terre, Planètes , Environnement (UMR 5276, CNRS-Université de Lyon I-ENS Lyon), Villeurbanne, France.
• Géochimie des isotopes stable, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (UMR 7154, France.
• Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian University, Canberra, Australia.
• Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany.
• Centre de Recherche sur les Sociétés et Environnements en Méditerranée (CRESEM - UR 7397, Université de Perpignan), France.
• Archéologie des Sociétés Méditerranéennes, UMR 5140, Montpellier, France.
• Service régional de l’archéologie, Occitanie, Montpellier, France.
• Institut für Biologie II, Molecular Biology of Archaea, Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg, Germany.
• Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapour.
• Géosciences Rennes, Université de Rennes, France.
• Sheffield Hallam University (Biomolecular Science Research Center), U.K.
• Organic Geochemistry Unit, University of Bristol, U.K.
• School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, U.K.
• Microbiology and Biogeochemistry Department, Netherland Institute for Sea Research, the Netherlands.

Photo gallery

A small overview of our research group