eLife Archives

Morphological comparison of the Apex Chert and the Strelley Pool Formation microfossils with EM-P. Images (A-D) are TEM images of EM-P cells forming intracellular vesicles (ICVs) and intracellular daughter cells. The numbered arrows in these images point to different stages of ICV formation (see Figure 1—figure supplement 1 and 2). Images (E, F, K & L) show TEM, SEM, and STED microscope images of EM-P cells with ICVs and surface depressions (black arrows). Cells in image F were stained with universal membrane stain, FM5-95 (red), and DNA stain, PicoGreen (green). Images (G-J & M) are spherical microfossils reported from the Apex Chert and the Strelley Pool Formation, respectively (originally published by Schopf and Packer, 1987; Delarue et al., 2020 ; Schopf and Packer, 1987; Delarue et al., 2020). Cyan arrows in images (E-H) point to cytoplasm sandwiched between large hollow vesicles. The arrow in the image I points to the dual membrane enclosing the microfossil. Morphologically similar images of EM-P cells are shown in Figure 1—figure supplement 3. Black arrows in images (K-M) point to surface depressions in both EM-P and the Strelley Pool Formation microfossils, possibly formed by the rupture of ICVs as shown in (D & E) (arrows) (also see Figure 1—figure supplements 4–6). Scale bars: (A-D) (0.5 µm) (E, K, & L) (2 µm), and 5 µm (F). -- eLife

Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Status Report

On The Nature Of The Earliest Known Lifeforms

by Keith CowingFebruary 25, 2026February 25, 2026

Microfossils from the Paleoarchean Eon are the oldest known evidence of life. Despite their significance in understanding the history of life on Earth, any interpretation of the nature of these […]

The four helices conserved across the Lipocone superfamily constitute a cone-like structure, with the helices tending to coalesce on one end and open out into a pocket on the other, lined by the conserved sequence positions. Image credit: Burroughs, Nicastro and L. Aravind (CC BY 4.0)

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report

Origins Of Wnt Signalling Reveals A Protein Superfamily Across The Tree of Life

by Keith CowingSeptember 11, 2025September 18, 2025

Researchers have described a large set of previously unrecognised enzymatic domains – named the Lipocone superfamily – and outlined their evolutionary pathway from bacterial defence molecules to key players in […]

A paleo-art reconstruction of a scene from the late Early Triassic, showing a coastal mudplain to alluvial ecosystem in the Heshanggou Formation, North China Credit Mr J Sun (CC BY 4.0)

Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Extinction events, Fossils & Paleontology, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Press Release

Fossils Reveal Rapid Land Recovery After End-Permian Extinction

by Keith CowingFebruary 24, 2025February 24, 2025

Tropical riparian ecosystems – those found along rivers and wetlands – recovered much faster than expected following the end-Permian mass extinction around 252 million years ago, according to new research.

Strand separation by salt cycling -- eLife

Astrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report

Prebiotic Gas Flow Environment Enables Isothermal Nucleic Acid Replication

by Keith CowingOctober 9, 2024October 9, 2024

Nucleic acid replication is a central process at the origin of life. On early Earth, replication is challenged by the dilution of molecular building blocks and the difficulty of separating […]

A phase-contrast micrograph of a ciliate (Frontonia sp.) digesting blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). The cytostome (the "mouth" of the cell) is seen on the right side down. Image credit: (CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED)

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life

Early Replicators

by Keith CowingMay 12, 2024May 12, 2024

Mathematical models of how ribonucleic acid (RNA)-like molecules make copies of themselves reveal new insights as the origins of life on Earth.

Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Press Release

Tardigrade Damage Suppressor Protein Binds To Nucleosomes And Protects DNA From Hydroxyl Radicals

by Keith CowingOctober 20, 2019August 24, 2022

Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are animals that can survive extreme conditions. The tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus contains a unique nuclear protein termed Dsup, for damage suppressor, which can increase […]