Compartmentalization of RNA in biopolymer-rich membraneless organelles is now understood to be pervasive and critical for the function of extant biology and has been proposed as a prebiotically-plausible way to […]
genomics
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Evolution: Miniproteins Appeared “From Nowhere”
Every biologist knows that small structures can sometimes have a big impact: Millions of signaling molecules, hormones, and other biomolecules are bustling around in our cells and tissues, playing a […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Astrochemistry, Status Report
Astrobiology Periodic Table v 6.0
Tweet by Charles Cockell @CharlesCockell – “Here is an updated version of the ‘Astrobiology Periodic Table’ (v. 6.0), with new biological data from an excellent paper by Remik and Helmann.” […]
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Press Release, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: NIH Software Assembles Complete Genome Sequences On-demand
National Institutes of Health researchers have developed and released an innovative software tool to assemble truly complete (i.e., gapless) genome sequences from a variety of species.
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Komatiites as Complex Adsorption Surfaces for Amino Acids in Prebiotic Environments, a Prebiotic Chemistry Essay
Komatiites represent the oldest known terrestrial rocks, and their composition has been cataloged as the closest to that of the first terrestrial crust after the cooling of the magma ocean.
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
RNA-catalyzed RNA Ligation Within Prebiotically Plausible Model Protocells
Demonstrating RNA catalysis within prebiotically relevant models of primordial cells (protocells) remains a challenge in Origins of life research.
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Rolling Circles As A Means Of Encoding Genes In The RNA World
The rolling circle mechanism found in viroids and some RNA viruses is a likely way that replication could have begun in the RNA World.
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
World First Study Sheds Light On Why Microbes In The Deep Ocean Live Without Sunlight
A world first study reverses the idea that the bulk of life in the ocean is fuelled by photosynthesis via sunshine, revealing that many ocean microbes in fact get their […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
A Biocentric Tour Of The Periodic Table
Living systems are built from a small subset of the atomic elements, including the bulk macronutrients (C,H,N,O,P,S) and ions (Mg,K,Na,Ca) together with a small but variable set of trace elements […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Examining Proteomes And Earth’s Deep Oceans As The Location Of The Origin of Terrestrial Life
Some standard arguments are reviewed supporting deep ocean trenches as a likely location for the origin of terrestrial life.