| From Early Cells to Multicellularity |
LIFE is a NASA Astrobiology Program Research Coordination Network, dedicated to understanding life from early cells to multicellularity. The LIFE Research Coordination Network (RCN) is pleased to host a virtual seminar series that will showcase the research of leaders and emerging leaders in the field of astrobiology.
The LIFE RCN Seminar Series is typically held the first Monday of every month from 1-2 PM EST and will consist of live-streamed short (30-40 min) talks followed by Q&A and discussion. This seminar series is open to all who share an interest in the co-evolution of life and the Earth from the appearance of the earliest cells to the advent of multicellularity.
Click here to join the LIFE mailing list. Connect on Twitter @LIFE_RCN. |
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| Monday, April 22nd at 10AM PDT / 1PM EDT / 5PM UTC |
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| Dr. Aude Picard Assistant Research Professor University of Nevada, Las Vegas |
| Microbe-mineral interactions on modern Earth
On modern Earth, microbial sulfate reduction (MSR) drives the biogeochemical cycles of sulfur, iron, and carbon. MSR is coupled to the oxidation of organic carbon, and its main product is sulfide. The latter reacts with Fe(II) to precipitate as iron sulfide (Fe-S) minerals in anoxic sedimentary environments. MSR is an ancient metabolism that predates the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis. Therefore, there is a potential long history of interactions between Fe-S minerals and anaerobic microbes.
In this seminar, I will present experimental work that examines how sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) influence the physical properties of Fe-S minerals, and how Fe-S minerals impact the physiology and longevity of SRB. Modern interactions could help us understand how Fe-S minerals might have played a role in the origin of biomolecules and evolution of microbial life |
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