Understanding LUCA Through Protein Family Phylogenies
NASA’s LIFE RCN Seminar Series recently featured a fascinating session on the dating of LUCA—the Last Universal Common Ancestor—using ancient protein family phylogenies. Dr. Greg Fournier, Associate Professor of Geobiology at MIT, shared groundbreaking research that leverages molecular evidence to uncover the origins of life. This innovative approach analyzes protein families that have been preserved across billions of years, helping scientists pinpoint when LUCA might have existed.
Why Ancient Proteins Matter in Evolutionary Biology
By studying ancient protein families, researchers can reconstruct the evolutionary tree that connects all living things. Dr. Fournier’s findings offer new clues about the building blocks of early life and how they have evolved. These discoveries not only deepen our understanding of life on Earth, but also guide astrobiology researchers searching for life beyond our planet. The seminar highlights the importance of combining molecular biology with advanced phylogenetic methods to answer some of the biggest questions in science.
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