[PNAS Nexus] The presence of an abundance of complex molecules has been proposed as a universal signature of life. Molecular complexity is often measured by the “assembly index,” which calculates […]
Biophysics
Posted inTricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: An Electrical Technique For Identifying Signs Of Life In Space
[The University of Osaka] The truth is out there – but identifying signs of life in space involves an intense search for biosignatures within our solar system and beyond. However, […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics
Generating Eukaryotic Reference Genome Assemblies: Earth BioGenome Project Quality Standards And Recommendations
[q-bio.GN] Reference genome assemblies are foundational resources across the biological sciences as they begin to expose the fundamental building blocks of each species and the molecular toolkits vital for adaptation […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics
Pathways Of Early Evolution From The Perspectives Of A Riboreplisome — The Ultimate RNA Machine Of Life
[q-bio.PE] Translation of the genetic code into proteins is universal across life, with ribosomes serving as the ancient molecular machines enabling this information transformation. We propose that early replication and […]
![Infrared spectra of pure H2S (blue) and H2O:H2S (10:1) (red) ice mixtures after UV irradiation followed by warm-up to room temperature, measured at 300 K. The residue from the H2S ice does not show any IR absorption band. Functional groups assigned to bands in the H2O:H2S (10:1) residue are indicated at the top; vibrational bands and assignments are also listed in Table 1, along with possible carrier species or chemical families producing those features. -- [astro-ph.GA]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Water-.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
Water Enhances The Formation Of Refractory Sulfur In Interstellar Ices
[astro-ph.GA] Sulfur is the tenth most abundant element in space, yet it is strongly depleted in the gas phase of dense interstellar regions, suggesting sequestration in dust grain components that […]
![Visual abstract -- [Journal of the American Chemical Society]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Nonequilibrium.jpg?resize=1200%2C716&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
Nonequilibrium Formation of Pyridine (C5H5N) in Interstellar Ice Analogs: Implications for Biorelevant Nitrogen Heterocycles in Ryugu and Bennu
[Journal of the American Chemical Society] Biorelevant nitrogen heterocycles, including the five canonical nucleobases found in RNA and DNA, have recently been identified in samples returned from the carbonaceous asteroids […]
Posted inCryobiology
Characterization Of Cold-adapted, Halotolerant Glycoside Hydrolase From Antarctic Halomonas sp. KS41843
[Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology ] Cold-adapted and halotolerant enzymes are promising candidates for industrial biocatalysis because they remain active under low-temperature and high-salinity conditions.
Posted inMicrobiology & Virology
Near-infrared Confocal Imaging Reveals The Spatial Organisation Of Far-red Photosynthesis In Shark Bay Microbial Mats And Halomicronema sp,
[Journal of Microscopy] Far-red light (FRL) cyanobacteria occupy spectrally filtered habitats where visible wavelengths are depleted but far-red radiation persists.
Posted inAstrochemistry
Nonequilibrium Formation of C4 Carbonyls in Interstellar Ices Linked to Amino Acids
[ACS Central Science] Complex organic molecules in interstellar ices and carbonaceous asteroids record key steps in the chemical evolution toward life, yet the origin of branched carbonyl compounds a fundamental […]
![Schematic of the experimental chamber setup. -- [astro-ph.IM]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Laboratory.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrochemistry
Laboratory Evidence that Methanol-Rich Ice Mantles Lower Methyl Formate Binding Energies
[astro-ph.IM] Complex organic molecules are widely detected in star-forming regions and are important precursors to prebiotic species. Because these molecules are thought to form primarily within icy grain mantles, their […]