Haloferax volcanii Archives - Astrobiology

GC content, total number and their frequencies of PQS in H. volcanii genome. (A) Schematic presentation of a G-quartet (left) and a G-quadruplex (right). (B) Total PQS counts, percentage of GC and PQS frequency characteristics for the main chromosome and mini-chromosomes. (C,D) G4 prediction in H. volcanii’s promoters: number and localisation relative to the TSS. -- biorxiv.org

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report

Archaeal G-Quadruplexes: A Novel Model for Understanding Unusual DNA/RNA Structures Across the Tree of Life

by Keith CowingFebruary 10, 2026February 10, 2026

Archaea, a domain of microorganisms found in diverse environments including the human microbiome, represent the closest known prokaryotic relatives of eukaryotes.

An astrobiologist on Mars viewing a sample under a microscope. -- Grok via Astrobiology.com

Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Space Life Science, Tricorders & Sensors

Life Detection: A Simple Test For Moving Microbes

by Keith CowingFebruary 6, 2025February 6, 2025

Finding life in outer space is one of the great endeavors of humankind. One approach is to find motile microorganisms that can move independently, an ability that is a solid […]

A lab-grown culture of Haloferax volcanii imaged under an agarose pad using phase contrast microscopy -- Wikipedia

Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Sample Return, Tricorders & Sensors

Application Of Chemotactic Behavior For Life Detection

by Keith CowingDecember 8, 2024December 11, 2024

One excellent biosignature for the present detection of microbial life on Earth is motility, leading to its growing interest within the astrobiological community as an observable attribute that, if detected […]

a Proteomics experiments were designed to compare disk- and rod-only mutants with wild type across early- and late-log growth phases. This interlinked experimental setup aimed to distinguish growth phase-related changes in protein abundances from cell-shape specific changes. b Results from label-free proteomics comparing wild type (H53 and H98), disk-only (∆cetZ1), and rod-only (JK3) strains are shown as a heatmap, with colors indicating log2-transformed intensity ratios (disk-forming conditions and strains as the numerator and rod-forming conditions and strains as the denominator). Positive and negative values indicate higher and lower abundances in disks, respectively. Ratios with a posterior error probability (PEP)

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release

Deconstructing The Structural Elements Of Extremophile Archaea Haloferax volcanii

by Keith CowingMarch 7, 2024March 7, 2024

Originally discovered in extreme environments like hydrothermal vents, archaea, a single-celled microorganism, can also be found in the digestive systems of animals, including humans where they play a key role […]

Confocal fluorescence microscopy images (1000 · ) of halite crystal-embedded cells of Deinococcus radiodurans co-stained with SYTO 9 and PI, showing characteristics of the crystal, the distribution of microorganisms inside fluid inclusions, and potential damage to the membrane. Color composite (SYTO 9 and PI). -- astro-ph.EP

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Meteorites & Asteroids, Microbiology & Virology, Panspermia, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report

Protective Effects of Halite to Vacuum and Vacuum-Ultraviolet Radiation: A Potential Scenario During a Young Sun Superflare

by Keith CowingNovember 17, 2023November 17, 2023

Halite (NaCl mineral) has exhibited the potential to preserve microorganisms for millions of years on Earth. This mineral was also identified on Mars and in meteorites.