Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry Archives

Analog Studies, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Sample Return

Extreme Environment of Danakil Depression Sheds Light on Mars, Titan

by Keith CowingApril 18, 2018November 21, 2025

The Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is a spectacular, hostile environment that may resemble conditions encountered on Mars and Titan — as well as in sites containing nuclear waste. From 20 […]

Astrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Titan

Possible Organic Precursors in Titan's Hydrocarbon

by Keith CowingMarch 1, 2018November 30, 2023

NASA researchers have confirmed the existence in Titan’s atmosphere of vinyl cyanide, which is an organic compound that could potentially provide the cellular membranes for microbial life to form in […]

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Press Release

Prebiotic Synthesis of RNA Nucleotides

by Keith CowingJanuary 17, 2018

RNA was probably the first informational molecule. Now chemists from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich have demonstrated that alternation of wet and dry conditions could have sufficed to drive the prebiotic […]

A satellite image of Don Juan Pond, showing dark streaks on the surrounding hillsides reminiscent of Recurring Slope Lineae seen on Mars. Image credit: NASA.

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Desert Worlds, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Sample Return

Salty Antarctic Pond Could Provide Clues About Mars’ Water

by Keith CowingNovember 28, 2017June 13, 2026

A shallow, briny pond located in what is often considered one of the most Mars-like regions on Earth is probably being fed by groundwater seeping up, rather than moisture seeping […]

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release

Potential Missing Link In The Chemistry That Led to Life on Earth

by Keith CowingNovember 6, 2017

Chemists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have found a compound that may have been a crucial factor in the origins of life on Earth. Origins-of-life researchers have hypothesized that […]

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Plant Biology, Press Release

Origin Of Photosynthesis In A Sun-loving Bacteria

by Keith CowingJuly 28, 2017

Every day, enough sunlight hits the Earth to power the planet many times over — if only we could more efficiently capture all the energy. With today’s solar panels limited […]

The microfluidic chip with an integrated solid-state nanopore. (a) The Z-shaped microfluidic channel is shown in blue. Three fluidic reservoirs are used for buffer and analyte introduction into the microfluidic channel, with the nanopore integrated beneath the central reservoir (number 2). During the experiment, analyte solution is introduced into the central reservoir and voltage is applied across the microfluidic channel and nanopore. (b) SEM cross-section of the microfluidic channel with the integrated micropore and nanopore in the top layers of the chip. (c) Photograph of the assembled device. -- NASA NTRS

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors

Tricorder Tech: Development Of Solid-State Nanopore Technology For Life Detection

by Keith CowingApril 28, 2017June 30, 2024

Introduction: Biomarkers for life on Earth are an important starting point to guide the search for life elsewhere. However, the search for life beyond Earth should incorporate technologies capable of […]

Astrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Press Release

Ultraviolet Star Light Plays A Role in Astrochemistry

by Keith CowingOctober 12, 2016

Life exists in a myriad of wondrous forms, but if you break any organism down to its most basic parts, it’s all the same stuff: carbon atoms connected to hydrogen, […]

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Press Release

How Plants and Bacteria See Light

by Keith CowingAugust 17, 2016

Plants, bacteria and fungi react to light with light-sensitive proteins. Scientists from the University of Gothenburg and their Finnish colleagues from University of Jyväskylä have now determined the inner workings […]

Analog Studies, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Sample Return

Hydrothermal Systems Show Spectrum of Extreme Life on Earth

by Keith CowingApril 26, 2016November 21, 2025

The Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Hydrothermal system at the Danakil Depression. The yellow deposits are a variety of sulphates and the […]