2002 Annual Science Report
Astrobiology Roadmap Objective 3.0 Reports Reporting | JUL 2001 – JUN 2002
Roadmap Objective 3.0—Replicating, catalytic systems capable of evolution, and construct laboratory models of metabolism in primitive living systems.
Project Reports
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Benner – Self-Reproducing Molecular Systems and Darwinian Chemistry
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 12.0 13.0 14.0 16.0 17.0 -
The Virtual Planetary Laboratory – the Life Modules
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 3.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 11.0 13.0 -
Hydrothermal Organic Synthesis
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 1.0 2.0 3.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 11.0 13.0 -
Ellington – Self-Reproducing Molecular Systems and Darwinian Chemistry
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 2.0 3.0 4.0 8.0 9.0 16.0 -
The Virtual Planetary Laboratory – Synthesis and Architecture
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 3.0 5.0 11.0 12.0 13.0 -
Theoretical Studies of Hydrothermal Synthesis Reactions
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 1.0 2.0 3.0 5.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 -
Origin and Early Evolution of Photosynthesis
Work on the origin and early evolution of photosynthesis is carried out by a highly interdisciplinary team of scientists from several different institutions. The overall theme is understanding the origin and early evolution of photosynthesis and its effect on the biosphere. This year four main aspects have been emphasized: (1) whole genome comparative analyses of photosynthetic organisms, (2) the search for phototrophs in non-solar environments around hydrothermal vents, (3) field and laboratory studies of photosynthetic organisms in thermophilic and iron-rich environments and (4) Biochemical analysis of primitive phototrophic organisms. Each of these projects has seen significant progress, as described below.
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 -
Ghadiri – Self-Reproducing Molecular Systems and Darwinian Chemistry
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 2.0 3.0 9.0 14.0 -
Rebek – Self-Reproducing Molecular Systems and Darwinian Chemistry
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 2.0 3.0 -
Early Metabolic Pathways
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 2.0 3.0 -
Switzer – Self-Reproducing Molecular Systems and Darwinian Chemistry
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 1.0 2.0 3.0 9.0 -
Resources to Support Life on Other Planets
We are examining the availability of resources that might support life on Mars, as a way of understanding both the potential for life there and the nature of planetary habitability.
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 3.0 5.0 8.0 -
Isotopic and Molecular Tracers of Life
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 1.0 3.0 5.0 6.0 8.0 9.0 11.0 14.0 16.0 -
Fe Isotope Biosignatures
Our research program in Year 4 has focused on five aspects of Fe isotope geochemistry, and our findings are based on ~1,000 new high-precision Fe isotope analyses using the new NAI-funded MC-ICP-MS lab
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 3.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 -
Molecular Analysis of Microbial Ecosystems in Extreme Enviornments
Projects continue to revolve around the development and use of ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) based molecular methods to survey and study the microbial constituents of ecosystems in extreme environments without the requirement for cultivation of the organisms.
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 10.0 -
Evolution in Microbe-Based Ecosystems: Desert Springs as Analogues for the Early Development and Stabilization of Ecological Systems
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 14.0 -
Evolution of Early Genes and Proteins
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 2.0 3.0 4.0 -
Properties of the Ribocyte (RNA Cell)
There are two areas of notable progress this year.
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 2.0 3.0 8.0 -
Biochemistry of Archaea and Bacteria: Biochemistry of Psychrophillic Organisms
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 3.0 6.0 7.0 8.0