These microbes endured the unlivable. The NASA astrobiologist who studies them reveals what that means for us today

This profile of Dr Patricia Sanchez-Baracaldo is part of Parent Carer Scientist, a project showcasing the diversity of approaches to combining scientific careers with caring responsibilities.

Despite seemingly low levels of molybdenum (Mo)/tungsten (W) in the Earth’s ancient oceans, these metals play central roles in driving modern biogeochemical cycles. Klos et al. used phylogenomic appro...

The origin of life is often framed primarily as a chemical problem, yet life s defining feature is evolution.

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Despite seemingly low levels of molybdenum (Mo)/tungsten (W) in the Earth’s ancient oceans, these metals play central roles in driving modern biogeochemical cycles. Klos et al. used phylogenomic appro...

Scientists once thought that life-sustaining oxygen existed only near Earth’s surface. Then they detected it deep underground.

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Synthetic biology is advancing how scientists study early microbial life. Their findings could revolutionize how we think about Earth’s earliest residents—and those that exist today.

Studying the natural selection of metals across eons. Muse is a NASA Interdisciplinary Consortium for Astrobiology Research, based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Nitrogenase is the only enzyme capable of biological nitrogen fixation and a major target for sustainable agricultural engineering, yet its functional and structural complexity has made it difficult t...

Nitrogenase is the only enzyme capable of biological nitrogen fixation and a major target for sustainable agricultural engineering, yet its functional and structural complexity has made it difficult t...

The study shows that life began using molybdenum and tungsten enzymes as early as 3.7–3.1 billion years ago. Study reveals that key metabolic processes arose despite scarce metals and highlighting the early adaptability of microbial life.

Abstract. Since its origins, life has been profoundly interconnected with Earth’s history. The genomes that underpin the diversity of modern life forms hav

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The study shows that life began using molybdenum and tungsten enzymes as early as 3.7–3.1 billion years ago. Study reveals that key metabolic processes arose despite scarce metals and highlighting the...

The study shows that life began using molybdenum and tungsten enzymes as early as 3.7–3.1 billion years ago. Study reveals that key metabolic processes arose despite scarce metals and highlighting the...

NASA-funded scientists have discovered that life on Earth over 3 billion years ago relied on the metal molybdenum, which was incredibly scarce in the environment at the time. The study, published in Nature Communications on Tuesday, is the first to show that molybdenum was used by ancient life this far back in our planet's history.

life on Earth relied on a metal called molybdenum

NASA-funded scientists have discovered that life on Earth over 3 billion years ago relied on the metal molybdenum, which was incredibly scarce in the

NASA-funded scientists have discovered that life on Earth over 3 billion years ago relied on the metal molybdenum, which was incredibly scarce in the

The study shows that life began using molybdenum and tungsten enzymes as early as 3.7–3.1 billion years ago. Study reveals that key metabolic processes arose despite scarce metals and highlighting the...

The study shows that life began using molybdenum and tungsten enzymes as early as 3.7–3.1 billion years ago. Study reveals that key metabolic processes arose despite scarce metals and highlighting the...

The study shows that nitrogenase enzymes have maintained stable isotope signatures over billions of years, revealing how ancient microbes shaped Earth’s nitrogen cycle and offering a new experimental ...

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Abstract. From its earliest beginnings, life’s expansion into new habitats has been profoundly shaped by its reciprocal interactions with Earth’s changing