Dr. Jasmina Wiemann

Mineralization Controls Informative Biomarker Preservation Associated With Soft Part Fossilization in Deep Time Diagenetically mineralized fossil tissues represent invaluable paleobiological evidence of past life. Lipid biomarkers may be identified alongside fossils, yet the relationship between localized, dia...

Now you know where to look for your cholestane signals in your fossils!
#paleontology #astrobiology #geochemistry

Find the paper in @Geobiology:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

This preservational bias held up when we analyzed a large fossil sample via #Raman spectroscopy [note the *beautiful* CH2-scissoring diagnostic for cholestane in raw spectra and the 2-D spectral correlation plot!]. Check out the spectacular ToF SIMS maps for direct comparisons!

#Biomarkers do not preserve uniformly well across the diverse diagenetic minerals found in #fossils - cholestane, one of the most widely used informative biomarker preserves exceptionally well in diagenetic carbonates rather than phosphates.

We have a new paper out - spearheaded by the brilliant Madison Tripp and Kliti Grice at Curtin in Western Australia:

Biomarkers preserve exceptionally well in diagenetic carbonates rather than phosphates.
#paleontology #astrobiology #geochemistry

Link: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

I am very much looking forward to join my brilliant colleagues of the Ancient Biomolecular Lab @amnh next week to talk about frontiers in ancient biomolecular research!

We will also discuss the current momentum in the field and the remaining big, open questions!

If you're around, check out our fancy new data, and learn more about how we use our state-of-the-art AFM-Raman platform to rethink #biosignatures here at Hopkins!

Let's chat about how our methods could help answer your evolutionary questions! [2/2]

SVP 2025 abstract decisions are out:

I am very excited to share that I will talk about how machine-learning applied to modern and #fossil biomolecules transforms our understanding of the early evolution of the vertebrate (+ outgroup) biomineralization toolkit! [1/2]

Planning to attend SVP 2025? Don't miss Megan's talk on her new approach to integrating molecular #fossils preserved in the rock record and in genomes!

As a 1st-year JHU PhD student in EPS, she just won the Steven Cohen Award for her creative spin on Paleobiology! @jhuartssciences.bsky.social

Here starts our odyssey to illuminate the fingerprint, origin(s), evolution, and evolvability of Life on Earth and elsewhere in the Universe ... one photon at a time!

Imagine you could not only chemically characterize individual molecules, but also simultaneously visualize them - in their biological framework or at mineral surfaces ... my AFM UV|Vis|NIR-Raman spectroscopy lab is officially operational, and the first data exceeded expectations!

#biosignatures

I'd be delighted to sponsor a NASA Postdoc Fellowship focused on #biosignatures, #astrobiology, or the Origin of Life here at Hopkins! 🚀

Raman main system installation: All bits and pieces are assembled!

Time for our first samples - until we add the Atomic Force Microscopy-module for Plasmonic and co-localized AFM-Raman next week!

The breakthrough proof bringing mathematics closer to a grand unified theory Nature - The Langlands programme has inspired and befuddled mathematicians for more than 50 years. A major advance has now opened up new worlds for them to explore.

One of the biggest stories in science is quietly playing out in the world of abstract mathematics

go.nature.com/4lBOSqR

Always delighted to talk about the importance of the #fossil record! Learn more about research on #biosignatures, #evolution, #dinosaurs, and #astrobiology at JHU:

www.instagram.com/reel/DMQNtCJ...

What a week:
✅ Wrap up 2 fun papers
✅ Receive 3-D Printers
✅ Hire awesome postdocs
✅ Win new funding for the lab
✅ Rig 8 ft x 5 ft optical table

Next:
⬜ Install AFM UV/Vis/NIR Raman
[11 days to go!]

For folks currently exploring postdoc opportunities for 2026: if you are looking for a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment to explore ambitious, big-picture questions through time, space, and the tree of life, feel free to reach out, let's chat about fellowships!

Pjotr will bring his cutting-edge approach to single-cell vibrational spectroscopy to Hopkins, tailored to the development of time-integrated biosignatures. He is planning to grow his comprehensive spectral database to explore new molecular applications to enigmatic microfossils and astrobiology.

Mariana will pioneer the integration of molecular, histological, and morphological approaches to the amniote metabolism. She is planning to apply her multiproxy approach to trace ontogenetic trade-offs in the light of extinction susceptibility.

I am endlessly excited to welcome Mariana and Pjotr to Hopkins!

Our entire team is thrilled to have you on board - let's push the limits of the fossil record! 🤩

#evolution #paleontology #fossils #biosignatures #astrobiology

One of your masterpieces! 😊

I picked up the current Re-issue of 'Reimagining #Dinosaurs' in @ National Geographic - just in time for #JurassicWorldRebirth!

Our research is still as exciting as it was 4 years ago, but my lab is now proudly based @jhuartssciences.bsky.social [with co-featured Fabbri, Balanoff, & Bever labs].

Oh no! It's definitely interesting and notable that the paleontological community has driven a good amount of the method development associated with protein degradation products that cannot be sequenced!

Oh no, did they mess up job titles? From the chemical perspective, the lines between archeology and paleontology can get a bit blurry, given that the processes associated with decay and stabilization determine the fates of biomolecules during earliest diagenesis...

I am star-struck to discuss recent progress on biomolecule and #biosignature preservation alongside so many legendary scientists in this C&EN feature:
From #dinosaurs to the tree of life!

So proud of the contributions from my lab @jhuartssciences.bsky.social!

Link: pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....

Reposting this brilliant summary of the current state of knowledge on protein preservation in deep time by @matthewcollins.bsky.social - holistic assessments of decay and stabilization kinetics are the way to go!

#FossilFriday #dinosaurs #biosignatures

Congratulations to 1⃣-year PhD student Liam Olden for finishing a fantastic year with a funded field work grant [🏔️] and admission to the International Geobiology Course [🦠]!

Enjoy your summer museum trips and field adventures!😊
#geobiology #paleontology #biosignatures

Congratulations to 1⃣-year PhD student Megan Miller for finishing a fantastic year with 2 impressive discoveries [🐭🐣], a funded museum grant [🦴] and a very fancy and well-deserved #paleontology award [🦕]!

Enjoy your unix summer adventure 💻☀️
#genomics #biosignatures

A belated thanks to the University of Maryland Geology Department and @arctomet for inviting me to talk about #biosignatures and #fossils!

I really enjoyed my visit and I look forward to working with you all in the future!

🦕🦖🐣

Living the dream ... 🤩

#spectroscopy #biosignatures #paleontology #astrobiology

We're still in an early phase of organization, so feel free to reach out with (speaker) suggestions: the organizing team includes Mariana Haase, Pjotr Meyvisch, and myself!
Huge thanks to @palaeo-prof.bsky.social for making this happen!!! 🤩 #paleontology #molecularpaleobiology #astrobiology #fossils