MSU Bio-Chemistry professor John Peters and The NASA Astrobiology Institute hosted an international "Workshop Without Walls" conference last week discussing scientific theories regarding "origin of life" research.
On Nov. 8, 9 and 10, scientists from over 30 different countries worldwide presented Astrobiological research via video technology in an event termed "Molecular Paleontology and Resurrection: Rewinding the Tape of Life." The event was conducted entirely in virtual communication in an attempt to reduce the carbon footprint and reach a broader scientific populace.
Topics covered during the three-day event were diverse, ranging from the evolution of photosynthesis to Yellowstone microbial diversity to iron-sulfur enzyme evolution. Peters spoke of a significance to interdisciplinary collaboration within the scientific community.
Peters defined astrobiology, in oversimplified terms, to be a quest for evidence for the "origin of life." It is an attempt to "understand the transition from an abiotic (non-living earth) to a biotic (living) earth," Peters said.
Additionally, Peters said, astrobiologists search for life on other planets. This is done by analyzing earth's life sustaining processes and comparing them to molecular structures on other planets. Peters explained that water or the potential for water on another planet might signify a possibility for life, since it is crucial to life on earth.
Several large television screens located in the EPS atrium provided live feed video coverage of the presenting scientists and their research. Participation was freely available to home computers around the globe through web conferencing technologies. A live chat box was provided throughout the presentations for open discussion and questions available to all people in attendance.
According to Peters, over 500 sites were recorded worldwide as registered participants in the workshop. The number of individual participants was estimated to be higher.
The NASA Astrobiology Institute is primarily funded by NASA. Peters hopes to elicit excitement about the “importance of the origin of life”; to inspire and train other students in the field of astrobiology.
According to Peters, this semester an astrobiology minor has been approved by the Board of Reagents. The interdisciplinary minor includes classes in history, philosophy, chemistry, biology and geology, among others. Montana State University is the only campus offering a astrobiology minor option in the state. Peters estimated that there are roughly 20-30 undergraduate students currently in the inaugural Astrobiology course in conjunction with the minor.
