Assignment 1

Topics for the 10-minute presentation about acyclic isoprenoids as biomarkers.

• acyclic isoprenoid biosynthesis
• what are the oldest acyclic isoprenoid fossils
• acyclic isoprenoids in contemporary algae
• acyclic isoprenoids derived from plants
• acyclic isoprenoids derived from Bacteria
• acyclic isoprenoids from metazoa

Assignment 2

Topics for the 10-minute presentation revolve around the broad topic of bacterial hopanoids. Choose from, but do not be limited to

• hopanoid biosynthesis
• isotopic compositions of bacteriohopanoids
• diagenesis of hopanoids in anoxic environments
• hopanoid stereochemistry
• hopanoids as paleoenvironmental proxies
• distinctions between bio- and geo- hopanoids

Assignment 3

For the 10-minute per person discussion choose from the following or invent your own:

• Sterols a membrane components
• Sterols as signalling molecules
• Steroid biosynthesis as an oxygen sensor
• Animal sterols
• Sterol biosynthesis in invertebrates
• Sterols of fungi
• Steranes as proxies for paleoenvironment