Stromatolites are complex microbial mats that form lithified layers and ancient forms are the oldest evidence of life on earth, dating back over 3.4 billion years. Their emergence aligns with […]
biorxiv.org
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Press Release
Genomic Evidence for Formate Metabolism by Chloroflexi as the Key to Unlocking Deep Carbon in Lost City Microbial Ecosystems
The Lost City hydrothermal field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge supports dense microbial life on the lofty calcium carbonate chimney structures. The vent field is fueled by chemical reactions between the […]
Posted inOrigin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Dynamic Genome Evolution and Blueprint of Complex Virocell Metabolism in Globally-Distributed Giant Viruses
The discovery of giant viruses with large genomes has transformed our understanding of the limits of viral complexity in the biosphere, and subsequent research in model virus-host systems has advanced […]
Posted inMicrobiology & Virology, Press Release
Large DNA Virus Promoted The Endosymbiotic Evolution To Make A Photosynthetic Eukaryote
Chloroplasts in photosynthetic eukaryotes originated from a cyanobacterial endosymbiosis far more than 1 billion years ago 1-3. Due to this ancientness, it remains unclear how this evolutionary process proceeded. To […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Press Release
Probing the Fabric of the Rare Biosphere
The relatively recent development of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) techniques has revealed a wealth of novel sequences found in very low abundance: the rare biosphere. Today, most studies of diversity of […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Evolution of Simple Multicellularity Increases Environmental Complexity
Multicellularity–the integration of previously autonomous cells into a new, more complex organism–is one of the major transitions in evolution. Multicellularity changed evolutionary possibilities and facilitated the evolution of increased complexity. […]
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Press Release
The Case for a Dynamical Subsurface Ecosystem
The introduction and concentration of electron donors and acceptors in the subsurface biosphere is controlled by the mixing of subsurface fluids, but the mechanisms and rates at which microbial communities […]