The first search for glycine and other biomolecules

TL;DR

This paper discusses the pioneering microwave spectroscopic detection efforts of glycine and other biomolecules in space during the 1970s, highlighting their role in establishing astrobiology.

Contribution

It reports the first search for glycine and biomolecules in space using microwave spectroscopy, marking a foundational moment in astrobiology research.

Findings

Initial searches were largely unsuccessful

The work helped launch the field of astrobiology

Development of new receivers at frequencies up to 75GHz

Abstract

In the 1970s the microwave spectroscopy group at Monash University became the first in the world to determine the spectral frequencies of urea, glycine, and several other biomolecules. We immediately searched for these at Parkes, using existing centimetre-wave receivers plus newly built receivers that operated at frequencies as high as 75GHz (and used just the central 17 m of the dish). Although these searches were largely unsuccessful, they helped launch the now flourishing field of astrobiology.