DNA sequencing
Posted inAnalog Studies, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Exploration Gear & Tech, Fossils & Paleontology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Microbiology & Virology, Polar / Alpine Expeditions, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors

The Microbial Inhabitants of the Corona Lava Tube: Astrobiological Insights from a Mars Analog Environment

by Keith Cowing

Lava tubes are recognized as strategic targets in the search for life on Mars. The Corona Lava Tube System in Lanzarote serves as a terrestrial analog for martian subsurface environments […]

Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Commercial & Private Sector, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release

How To Build A Genome – Troubleshooting Manual For Synthetic Life Published

by Keith Cowing

Leading synthetic biologists have shared hard-won lessons from their decade-long quest to build the world’s first synthetic eukaryotic genome in a Nature Biotechnology paper out today. Their insights could accelerate […]

Posted inAstronauts and Explorers, Astropharmacy / Biotechnology, Commercial & Private Sector, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microgravity, Nanotechnology & SynBio, People Of Astrobiology, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors

Offworld Genomics Research: DNA Decryption Experiment On ISS

by Keith Cowing

NASA astronaut and Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Jonny Kim shows off research hardware from the Noblis / Voyager DNA Decryption experiment taking place inside the International Space Station’s Harmony module.

Posted inArctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Sample Return

Viruses in Polar Oceans Follow Rhythms Of Earth’s Seas

by Keith Cowing

Viruses in the cold waters of the Arctic are strongly seasonal and are also detected in the Antarctic.

Posted inAstropharmacy / Biotechnology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

230 New Giant Viruses Discovered That Shape Earth’s Oceans

by Keith Cowing

Giant viruses play a role in the survival of single-celled marine organisms called protists. These include algae, amoeba, and flagellates, that form the base of ocean food webs. And since […]

Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors

Genomics Tricorder Tech: De novo Genome Sequencing And Annotation Of A Thermophilic Cyanobacterium Using The Oxford Nanopore Technologies Sequencing Platform

by Keith Cowing

Editor’s note: Oxford Nanopore technology has been used multiple times on the International Space Station (see Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics) to try and help elucidate changes in genomic function during exposure […]

Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Icy Worlds, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors

Biosignature Detection And MinION Sequencing Of Antarctic Cryptoendoliths After Exposure To Mars Simulation Conditions

by Keith Cowing

In the search for life in our Solar System, Mars remains a promising target based on its proximity and similarity to Earth. When Mars transitioned from a warmer, wetter climate […]

Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Space Life Science, Tricorders & Sensors

Tricorder Tech: UCSC Astrobiologist David Deamer And Mark Akeson Honored For Invention Of Nanopore Sequencing

by Keith Cowing

[In September 2023] two UC Santa Cruz researchers were honored at the Library of Congress for the invention of nanopore sequencing, which became a new and revolutionary method to read […]

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