RESURRECTING BIOSIGNATURES
When accessing the deep past, we have two main datasets to draw upon in reconstructing major transitions in the biosphere: the rock record (i.e., fossils, biosignatures and geologic indicators of environment) and extant biotic diversity (i.e., genetic sequences, proteins and organismal variability). Under this theme, we explore paleogenetic methodologies that allows us to reconstruct and then resurrect ancient protein sequences and utilize these modern tools for interpreting ancient biosignatures recorded in the rocks, and for shedding light on significant past events in evolution.
Key Papers
Resurrecting ancestral genes in bacteria to interpret ancient biosignatures. Read Paper >>>
How to resurrect ancestral proteins as proxies for ancient biogeochemistry. Read Paper >>>
Exoplanet Biosignatures: Future Directions. Read Paper >>>
Life Beyond the Solar System: Remotely Detectable Biosignatures. Read Paper >>>
Recent Highlights
Blue Marble Space Institute discussing comprehensive series of papers outlining the past, present, and future of research on how to search for signs of life on exoplanets
Key Collaborators
Daniel Apai (UA Astronomy)
Zach Adam (UA LPL)
