LIFE SEMINAR SERIES:

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.

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Seminar Session #5

Monday, October 2nd at 9AM PDT / 12PM EDT / 4PM UTC

NOTE: Different Start Time

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

Dr. Patricia Sánchez-Baracaldo

Professor

University of Bristol

Origin of multicellularity in Cyanobacteria and the Great Oxidation Event

Cyanobacteria are among the most morphologically diverse prokaryotic phyla on Earth. Their morphotypes range from unicellular to multicellular filamentous forms, yet mechanisms underlying their evolution from unicellular to filamentous morphologies remain unknown. Filamentous cyanobacteria evolved prior to the Great Oxidation Event ~2.45 Ga. The acquisition of genes encoding septal proteins and cellular differentiation evolved near the root of the tree of life of Cyanobacteria. It is now becoming clearer that filamentous cyanobacteria were key in the ecological expansion that led to the permanent rise of oxygen in Earth’s history.