>"New research reveals LUCA, Earth’s last universal common ancestor, was a complex organism shaping early ecosystems 4.2 billion years ago."
The study details LUCA's age, genetic makeup, metabolism, and ecological role, suggesting life may have emerged rapidly after Earth's formation and could exist on other planets.
* LUCA lived around 4.2 billion years ago, potentially before the Late Heavy Bombardment.
* Researchers used a refined molecular clock analysis focusing on gene duplication *before* LUCA’s emergence.
* LUCA’s genome was surprisingly complex, containing at least 2.5 megabases and around 2,600 proteins.
* Evidence suggests LUCA possessed an early form of an immune system, indicating the presence of viruses at the time.
* LUCA utilized anaerobic metabolism (acetogenesis) and fed on hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
* LUCA’s metabolic byproducts served as a food source for other microbes, forming early recycling ecosystems.
* Shared traits like the universal genetic code and ATP reliance trace back to LUCA.
* The research combined fossil records, isotopic data, genetic timelines, and biogeochemical models.
* The study suggests life may have emerged rapidly after Earth’s formation, and could potentially exist on other planets.
The study details LUCA's age, genetic makeup, metabolism, and ecological role, suggesting life may have emerged rapidly after Earth's formation and could exist on other planets.
* LUCA lived around 4.2 billion years ago, potentially before the Late Heavy Bombardment.
* Researchers used a refined molecular clock analysis focusing on gene duplication *before* LUCA’s emergence.
* LUCA’s genome was surprisingly complex, containing at least 2.5 megabases and around 2,600 proteins.
* Evidence suggests LUCA possessed an early form of an immune system, indicating the presence of viruses at the time.
* LUCA utilized anaerobic metabolism (acetogenesis) and fed on hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
* LUCA’s metabolic byproducts served as a food source for other microbes, forming early recycling ecosystems.
* Shared traits like the universal genetic code and ATP reliance trace back to LUCA.
* The research combined fossil records, isotopic data, genetic timelines, and biogeochemical models.
* The study suggests life may have emerged rapidly after Earth’s formation, and could potentially exist on other planets.
Research suggests that asymmetric (non-reciprocal) molecular interactions can stabilize biological systems by allowing adaptation to different states, like molecular condensates or information waves, offering insights into the formation and maintenance of cellular structures.
Research on the unicellular organism Stentor suggests that physical forces, specifically cooperative feeding dynamics, may have played a crucial role in the early evolution of multicellular life. These organisms form temporary colonies to enhance feeding efficiency but revert to solitary existence when resources are scarce, representing a stage before permanent multicellularity.
Arc Institute develops Evo 2, the largest AI model in biology to date, trained on over 9.3 trillion nucleotides from 128,000 genomes. It can identify disease-causing mutations and design new genomes, with applications in genetic analysis and engineering treatments.
A group of scientists has put forth a groundbreaking machine-based theory of life that challenges traditional biological perspectives. This theory suggests that life is not just a product of organic processes but is also heavily influenced by external, non-biological factors such as machines and technology. The proposition puts forward the idea that life is a result of an interplay between biological and
In a new machine-based theory of life Tsvi Tlusty and Albert Libchaber suggest that life is an intricate cascade of machines, from molecular level to entire biospheres. They have developed a conceptual framework and a simplified language to describe living matter as an almost infinite double cascade. This theory identifies a critical point where self-replicating machines interface with their environment, which is essential for the emergence of life. This critical point is marked by specific temporal and spatial scales of 1,000 seconds and 1 micron, corresponding to microbial life. This theory provides a mathematical foundation for understanding life and its complexity
In a new machine-based theory of life Tsvi Tlusty and Albert Libchaber suggest that life is an intricate cascade of machines, from molecular level to entire biospheres. They have developed a conceptual framework and a simplified language to describe living matter as an almost infinite double cascade. This theory identifies a critical point where self-replicating machines interface with their environment, which is essential for the emergence of life. This critical point is marked by specific temporal and spatial scales of 1,000 seconds and 1 micron, corresponding to microbial life. This theory provides a mathematical foundation for understanding life and its complexity
Researchers from a Spanish laboratory observe, for the first time, the formation of protocells in an experiment simulating the conditions of the early Earth, challenging traditional views on the origin of life.
Researchers from ISTA and Max Planck Institute have uncovered new details about molecular mechanisms driving memory processing at mossy fiber synapses in the hippocampus, crucial for memory formation.
The hippocampus is known to convert short-term memory into long-term memory. The study sheds light on how structural and functional changes in mossy fiber synapses may facilitate the encoding and storage of memories in the hippocampus.
The new research focuses on the mossy fiber synapse, a key connection point between neurons in the hippocampus. The scientists used a novel technique called "Flash and Freeze" combined with freeze fracture labeling to study the dynamic changes in proteins Cav2.1 calcium channels and Munc13 during signal processing. They found that upon stimulation, these proteins rearranged and moved closer together, enhancing neurotransmitter release and potentially contributing to memory formation.
The hippocampus is known to convert short-term memory into long-term memory. The study sheds light on how structural and functional changes in mossy fiber synapses may facilitate the encoding and storage of memories in the hippocampus.
The new research focuses on the mossy fiber synapse, a key connection point between neurons in the hippocampus. The scientists used a novel technique called "Flash and Freeze" combined with freeze fracture labeling to study the dynamic changes in proteins Cav2.1 calcium channels and Munc13 during signal processing. They found that upon stimulation, these proteins rearranged and moved closer together, enhancing neurotransmitter release and potentially contributing to memory formation.
A unique resource for hippocampus researchers and learners, offering tools to build and explore models of the hippocampus and its components using powerful modeling workflows.
The clearest picture yet of LUCA suggests it was a relatively complex organism living 4.2 billion years ago, a time long considered too harsh for life to flourish.
Evolutionary origin of bioluminescence in the ostracod Vargula tsujii and the integration of conserved secretory genes with novel biochemical pathways to produce light-producing signals.
* The paper explores the evolutionary origin of bioluminescence in the ostracod Vargula tsujii.
* Bioluminescence is an ecologically impactful innovation that has evolved convergently multiple times to influence predator-prey interactions and courtship signals.
* The study finds that the evolutionary novel c-luciferase gene is co-expressed with conserved genes related to toxin production and high-output protein secretion.
* This suggests that the "legacy-plus-innovation" mode of secretory evolution, previously applied to sensory modalities, also encompasses bioluminescent light as an important medium of ecological interaction and evolutionary innovation.
* The study contributes to our understanding of the evolutionary origins of bioluminescence and its significance in ecological interactions.
**Key points:**
* Bioluminescence has evolved convergently multiple times to influence predator-prey interactions and courtship signals.
* The evolutionary novel c-luciferase gene is co-expressed with conserved genes related to toxin production and high-output protein secretion.
* The "legacy-plus-innovation" mode of secretory evolution applies to bioluminescent secretions.
* The study has implications for our understanding of ecological interactions and evolutionary innovation.
* The paper explores the evolutionary origin of bioluminescence in the ostracod Vargula tsujii.
* Bioluminescence is an ecologically impactful innovation that has evolved convergently multiple times to influence predator-prey interactions and courtship signals.
* The study finds that the evolutionary novel c-luciferase gene is co-expressed with conserved genes related to toxin production and high-output protein secretion.
* This suggests that the "legacy-plus-innovation" mode of secretory evolution, previously applied to sensory modalities, also encompasses bioluminescent light as an important medium of ecological interaction and evolutionary innovation.
* The study contributes to our understanding of the evolutionary origins of bioluminescence and its significance in ecological interactions.
**Key points:**
* Bioluminescence has evolved convergently multiple times to influence predator-prey interactions and courtship signals.
* The evolutionary novel c-luciferase gene is co-expressed with conserved genes related to toxin production and high-output protein secretion.
* The "legacy-plus-innovation" mode of secretory evolution applies to bioluminescent secretions.
* The study has implications for our understanding of ecological interactions and evolutionary innovation.
