[Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf] How and where did the first forms of life arise? These are the main questions driving research at the Institute of Molecular Evolution at Heinrich Heine University […]
Bacteria
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments
Bacteria That Convert Uranium Into A Stable Chemical Compound
[HZDR] The radioactive heavy metal uranium is usually found in the soil in a mineral-bound form but can be converted into soluble forms by environmental influences or mining activities. If […]
![Recombination transferred part of archaeal YRS into non-canonical bacterial YRS. A) YRS core catalytic domain alignment from archaeal (indicated left as blue), bacterial non-canonical (purple) and bacterial canonical (pink) sequences. Both recombinant and nonrecombinant YRSs are found within all four major bacterial supergroups (Terrabacteria, Proteobacteria, PVC and FCB) B) Speciestree reconciled consensus trees reconstructed for the non-recombinant (left) and recombinant YRS sites (right). Branch lengths were estimated using NQ.bac+R10 in IQ-Tree v2.1.332. -- [biorxiv.org]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Tryptophan-became.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inOrigin & Evolution of Life
Tryptophan Became Part Of The Universal Genetic Code Post-LUCA
[biorxiv.org] We evaluate whether tryptophan (W), widely thought to be the last of the 20 canonical amino acids added to the genetic code, was already present in the Last Universal […]
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Deep-time Consistency In Proteome Elemental Composition Across Cellular And Viral Life
Proteins are constructed from a limited alphabet of ~20 amino acids, yet the origins and selection of this specific alphabet are unresolved.
Posted inCaves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report
Physiological Trade-offs Drive The archaeal Dominance And Carbon Turnover In Deep Subsurface
Marine sediments host a vast deep biosphere, yet how microorganisms persist under severe energy limitation and govern long-term organic carbon (OC) preservation remains poorly understood.
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Sample Return, Status Report
The Recovery Of 12,789 Genomes Revealed The Diversity, Function, And Microbial Interactions Of The Geothermal Spring Microbiome
Geothermal springs, characterized by extreme physicochemical conditions, represent ecologically and evolutionarily significant habitats that foster unique microbial communities and drive adaptive evolutionary processes.
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Sample Return, Status Report
Amplicon And Metagenomic Data From Fumarole-associated Geothermal Features Of Hawai’i
The Hawaiian islands are among the most geologically and volcanically active places on Earth. While the Hawaiian Archipelago is known for its animal and plant diversity, much less is known […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Asgard Archaeal Origin Of Microtubules
Eukaryotic cells change their shapes, actively segregate their DNA and contain membrane networks, facilitated by a complex cytoskeleton containing actin filaments, microtubules made from tubulin, and other components.
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Astropharmacy / Biotechnology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Commercial & Private Sector, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, NASA Astrobiology Program, Origin & Evolution of Life, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Sample Return, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Astrobiologists Search For Alien Life And Help Life On Earth In The Process
On Earth, life thrives in some of the most seemingly inhospitable environments.
Posted inArctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Polar / Alpine Expeditions, Press Release, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Sample Return, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Deep-sea Microbes Get An Unexpected Energy Boost
For many years, the deep ocean has been seen as a nutrient-poor environment where microbes living in the water survive on very limited resources. But new research from the University […]