Lithothèque du Centre de biophysique moléculaire (CBM)

Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Volcanic sand discovered on the Hekla volcano in Iceland. This sand, of modern origin, is similar to a rock of Martian origin. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study of traces of life on Mars. The collection contains volcanic and…

Raman spectroscopy analysis of a thin slice of microfossils contained in rocks from the Draken formation, to the northeast of the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard. This formation dates back more than 800 million years. The rock analysed is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Raman spectroscopy analysis of a thin slice of microfossils contained in rocks from the Draken formation, to the northeast of the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard. This formation dates back more than 800 million years. The rock analysed is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Raman spectroscopy analysis of a thin slice of microfossils contained in rocks from the Draken formation, to the northeast of the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard. This formation dates back more than 800 million years. The rock analysed is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Raman spectroscopy analysis of a thin slice of microfossils contained in rocks from the Draken formation, to the northeast of the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard. This formation dates back more than 800 million years. The rock analysed is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Raman spectroscopy analysis of a thin slice of microfossils contained in rocks from the Draken formation, to the northeast of the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard. This formation dates back more than 800 million years. The rock analysed is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Raman spectroscopy analysis of a thin slice of microfossils contained in rocks from the Draken formation, to the northeast of the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard. This formation dates back more than 800 million years. The rock analysed is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Raman spectroscopy analysis of a thin slice of microfossils contained in rocks from the Draken formation, to the northeast of the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard. This formation dates back more than 800 million years. The rock analysed is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Siderite of indeterminate origin. This 5-cm rock is similar to a rock of Martian origin. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study of traces of life on Mars. The collection contains volcanic and sedimentary rocks prepared in several…

Magnetite crystals of indeterminate origin. This 7-cm rock is similar to a rock of Martian origin. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study of traces of life on Mars. The collection contains volcanic and sedimentary rocks prepared in…

Volcanic sand discovered on the Hekla volcano in Iceland. This sand, of modern origin, is similar to a rock of Martian origin. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study of traces of life on Mars. The collection contains volcanic and…

Raman spectroscopy analysis of a thin slice of microfossils contained in rocks from the Draken formation, to the northeast of the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard. This formation dates back more than 800 million years. The rock analysed is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Chertified volcanic sediments discovered at Pilbara, Kitty’s Gap, Australia. This 6-cm rock, similar to a rock of Martian origin, dates back 3446 million years. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study of traces of life on Mars. The…

Hydrothermal chert discovered at Josefdal, South Africa. This 16-cm rock, similar to a rock of Martian origin, dates back 3300 million years. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study of traces of life on Mars. The collection contains…

Hydrothermal chert discovered at Josefdal, South Africa. This 16-cm rock, similar to a rock of Martian origin, dates back 3300 million years. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study of traces of life on Mars. The collection contains…

Komatiite, a volcanic rock, and spinifex texture discovered in the Komati River, in Barberton, South Africa. This 20-cm rock, similar to a rock of Martian origin, dates back 3400 million years. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study…

Komatiite, a volcanic rock, and spinifex texture discovered in the Komati River, in Barberton, South Africa. This 20-cm rock, similar to a rock of Martian origin, dates back 3400 million years. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study…

Komatiite, a volcanic rock, and spinifex texture discovered in the Komati River, in Barberton, South Africa. This 20-cm rock, similar to a rock of Martian origin, dates back 3400 million years. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study…

Komatiite, a volcanic rock, and spinifex texture discovered in the Dundonald formation in Ontario, Canada. This 10-cm rock, similar to a rock of Martian origin, dates back 2700 million years. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study of…

Komatiite, a volcanic rock, and spinifex texture discovered in the Dundonald formation in Ontario, Canada. This 10-cm rock, similar to a rock of Martian origin, dates back 2700 million years. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study of…

Komatiite, a volcanic rock, and spinifex texture discovered in the Dundonald formation in Ontario, Canada. This 10-cm rock, similar to a rock of Martian origin, dates back 2700 million years. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study of…

Production of thin slice of silicified timber, for the study of fossilisation processes. The thin slice was executed from timber petrified 200 million years ago in Arizona, USA. This fossil is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Portrait of Frances Westall, Research Director at CNRS, in the mountains in eastern South Africa, on the border with Swaziland. It is in the mountain rocks at the Barberton site that the scientist discovered the oldest traces of life on Earth.

Bacterium undergoing silicification, after 5 months of exposure in a silica saturated solution. This artificial fossilisation experiment was conducted for the European MASE (Mars Analogue for Space Exploration) project. The bacterium was isolated from the acidic (pH 3), oligotrophic, and cold (4°C) Icelandic Lake Grænavatn. The cell visible here measures approximately 1 µm.

Bacterium undergoing silicification, after 5 months of exposure in a silica saturated solution. This artificial fossilisation experiment was conducted for the European MASE (Mars Analogue for Space Exploration) project. The bacterium was isolated from the acidic (pH 3), oligotrophic, and cold (4°C) Icelandic Lake Grænavatn. The cell visible here measures approximately 1 µm.

Portrait of Frédéric Foucher, Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM).

Portrait of Frédéric Foucher, Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM).

Portrait of Frédéric Gaboyer, Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM).

Image obtained by AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) microscopy of the morphology and topography at sub-micrometre scale of an artificially silicified microorganism: the archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi. This fossilised microbial model will enable study of microbial preservation and fossilisation processes.

Production of thin slice of silicified timber, for the study of fossilisation processes. The thin slice was executed from timber petrified 200 million years ago in Arizona, USA. This fossil is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Production of thin slice of silicified timber, for the study of fossilisation processes. The thin slice was executed from timber petrified 200 million years ago in Arizona, USA. This fossil is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Hematite and goethite discovered in Morocco. This 9-cm rock is similar to regolith of Martian origin. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study of traces of life on Mars. The collection contains volcanic and sedimentary rocks prepared in…

Production of thin slice of silicified timber, for the study of fossilisation processes. The thin slice was executed from timber petrified 200 million years ago in Arizona, USA. This fossil is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Production of thin slice of silicified timber, for the study of fossilisation processes. The thin slice was executed from timber petrified 200 million years ago in Arizona, USA. This fossil is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Production of thin slice of silicified timber, for the study of fossilisation processes. The thin slice was executed from timber petrified 200 million years ago in Arizona, USA. This fossil is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Production of thin slice of silicified timber, for the study of fossilisation processes. The thin slice was executed from timber petrified 200 million years ago in Arizona, USA. This fossil is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Production of thin slice of silicified timber, for the study of fossilisation processes. The thin slice was executed from timber petrified 200 million years ago in Arizona, USA. This fossil is part of the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) microscopy analysis of the morphology and topography at sub-micrometre scale of an artificially silicified microorganism: the archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi. This fossilised microbial model will enable study of microbial preservation and fossilisation processes.

AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) microscopy analysis of the morphology and topography at sub-micrometre scale of an artificially silicified microorganism: the archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi. This fossilised microbial model will enable study of microbial preservation and fossilisation processes.

AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) microscopy analysis of the morphology and topography at sub-micrometre scale of an artificially silicified microorganism: the archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi. This fossilised microbial model will enable study of microbial preservation and fossilisation processes.

AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) microscopy analysis of the morphology and topography at sub-micrometre scale of an artificially silicified microorganism: the archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi. This fossilised microbial model will enable study of microbial preservation and fossilisation processes.

Stromatolite discovered at Barberton, South Africa. This 12-cm rock dates back 3300 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Stromatolite discovered in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. This 40-cm rock dates back 450 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Stromatolite discovered in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. This 40-cm rock dates back 450 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Stromatolite discovered in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. This 40-cm rock dates back 450 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Stromatolite discovered in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. This 40-cm rock dates back 450 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Chert, volcanic surface sediments discovered at Barberton, South Africa. This 12-cm rock dates back 3300 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Chert, volcanic surface sediments discovered at Barberton, South Africa. This 12-cm rock dates back 3300 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Chert, volcanic surface sediments discovered at Barberton, South Africa. This 12-cm rock dates back 3300 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

BIF (Banded Iron Formation) deposit discovered at Barberton, South Africa. This 18-cm sedimentary rock, very rich in iron, dates back 2000 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

BIF (Banded Iron Formation) deposit discovered at Barberton, South Africa. This 18-cm sedimentary rock, very rich in iron, dates back 2000 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Stromatolite discovered at Barberton, South Africa. This 12-cm rock dates back 3300 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Silicified timber discovered in Madagascar. It measures 40 cm and dates back 220 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Stromatolite discovered at Pilbara, Kitty's Gap, Australia. This 12-cm rock dates back 3481 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Chert discovered at Pilbara, Kitty’s Gap, Australia. This 15-cm concretion dates back 3446 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Stromatolite discovered at Pilbara, Kitty's Gap, Australia. This 12-cm rock dates back 3481 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Stromatolite discovered at Pilbara, Kitty's Gap, Australia. This 12-cm rock dates back 3481 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Metamorphic rocks discovered in the Isua formation, in Greenland. They measure 20 cm and date back 3800 million years. They belong to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

CBM building, the Molecular Biophysics Centre in Orleans.

Hematite and goethite discovered in Morocco. This 9-cm rock is similar to regolith of Martian origin. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study of traces of life on Mars. The collection contains volcanic and sedimentary rocks prepared in…

Volcanic bomb discovered at Puy de Tunisset, in the Massif Central. This 15-cm rock dates back 8000 years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Volcanic bomb discovered at Puy de Tunisset, in the Massif Central. This 15-cm rock dates back 8000 years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Basalt, a volcanic rock, discovered at Puy de Lespinasse, in the Massif Central. This 15-cm rock dates back approximately 10,000 years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Basalt, a volcanic rock, discovered at Puy de Lespinasse, in the Massif Central. This 15-cm rock dates back approximately 10,000 years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Metamorphic rocks discovered in the Isua formation, in Greenland. They measure 20 cm and date back 3800 million years. They belong to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Metamorphic rocks discovered in the Isua formation, in Greenland. They measure 20 cm and date back 3800 million years. They belong to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Metamorphic rocks discovered in the Isua formation, in Greenland. They measure 20 cm and date back 3800 million years. They belong to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Hematite and goethite discovered in Morocco. This 9-cm rock is similar to regolith of Martian origin. It belongs to ISAR (International Space Analogue Rockstore), a unique collection of rocks similar to those found on Mars, kept at the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) in Orleans. Comprising some fifty rocks, ISAR is used to test and calibrate certain space probe instruments, particularly for the study of traces of life on Mars. The collection contains volcanic and sedimentary rocks prepared in…

Stromatolite discovered in the Steep Rock formation, in Canada. This 15-cm rock dates back 2800 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Stromatolite discovered in the Steep Rock formation, in Canada. This 15-cm rock dates back 2800 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Stromatolite discovered in the Gunflint formations at Mink Mountains, in Ontario, Canada. This 10-cm rock dates back 1900 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Stromatolite discovered in the Gunflint formations at Mink Mountains, in Ontario, Canada. This 10-cm rock dates back 1900 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Stromatolite discovered in the Gunflint formations at Mink Mountains, in Ontario, Canada. This 10-cm rock dates back 1900 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Chert discovered in the Gunflint formations at Schreiber Beach, in Ontario, Canada. This 15-cm rock dates back 1900 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Chert discovered in the Gunflint formations at Schreiber Beach, in Ontario, Canada. This 15-cm rock dates back 1900 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Silicified timber discovered in Madagascar. It measures 40 cm and dates back 220 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.

Silicified timber discovered in Madagascar. It measures 40 cm and dates back 220 million years. It belongs to the Molecular Biophysics Centre (CBM) rock collection, a unique collection of terrestrial rocks and minerals, some dating back several billion years.