Astronomy Colloquium

   In the cold and dense stages of star and planet formation, volatile molecules condense out on    interstellar grains forming icy mantles. The physics and chemistry of these ices may have a direct    impact on planet formation efficiencies and planet bulk compositions. Ice chemistry is also    expected to be the main formation site of complex organics in space and may thus regulate the      prebiotic potential of nascent planets. We have used a combination of IR and millimeter    observations, theory, and laboratory experiments to characterize interstellar ices, snow line    locations (i.e. where these ices are located), and the chemical and planet formation consequences of    the exact locations of different snow lines. I will discuss how the outcome of these studies have    impacted our understanding of ice processes and of organic chemistry during star and planet    formation, and also future prospects as complete ALMA and the next generation of laboratory    experiments come online.