My own interests focus on the following questions: To which extent can biomolecules and their precursors be formed already in space and from which stage of the biochemical evolution planetary conditions are necessary? Furthermore: Is there a possibility to synthesise the basic building stones of life already under very extreme conditions.

Interesting new results and observations have been obtained from space missions (e.g. m nitrogen-containing compounds that could serve as biomolecule precursors have been detected by the Cassini-Huygens mission in a much higher abundance than previously expected). These findings could deliver new insights into the primeval solar system and the origin of life on our own planet.