The Transition from Geochemistry to Biogeochemistry

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 2016 The Transition from Geochemistry to Biogeochemistry Nita Sahai; Nita Sahai 1Department of Polymer Science, 170 University Avenue, University of AkronAkron, OH 44325-39092Department of Geology, 170 University Avenue, University of AkronAkron, OH 44325-39093Integrated Bioscience Program, 170 University Avenue, University of AkronAkron, OH 44325-3909E-mail: sahai@uakron.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Hussein Kaddour; Hussein Kaddour 1Department of Polymer Science, 170 University Avenue, University of AkronAkron, OH 44325-3909 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Punam Dalai Punam Dalai 1Department of Polymer Science, 170 University Avenue, University of AkronAkron, OH 44325-3909 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Nita Sahai 1Department of Polymer Science, 170 University Avenue, University of AkronAkron, OH 44325-39092Department of Geology, 170 University Avenue, University of AkronAkron, OH 44325-39093Integrated Bioscience Program, 170 University Avenue, University of AkronAkron, OH 44325-3909E-mail: sahai@uakron.edu Hussein Kaddour 1Department of Polymer Science, 170 University Avenue, University of AkronAkron, OH 44325-3909 Punam Dalai 1Department of Polymer Science, 170 University Avenue, University of AkronAkron, OH 44325-3909 Publisher: Mineralogical Society of America First Online: 13 Jul 2017 Online Issn: 1811-5217 Print Issn: 1811-5209 © 2016 by the Mineralogical Society of America Elements (2016) 12 (6): 389–394. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.12.6.389 Article history First Online: 13 Jul 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Nita Sahai, Hussein Kaddour, Punam Dalai; The Transition from Geochemistry to Biogeochemistry. Elements 2016;; 12 (6): 389–394. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.12.6.389 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyElements Search Advanced Search Abstract Paradigm-changing discoveries about stellar and planetary evolution, the survival of organic molecules and microorganisms under extreme conditions, and geochemical environments on early Earth and other planets are sparking a synergistic dialogue between geoscientists, chemists, and biologists to understand how life originated. To achieve this goal, we must (i) explain the non enzymatic synthesis of biologically relevant organic molecules under geologically plausible conditions; (ii) overcome the rigid conceptual dichotomy of the "RNA world" versus the "metabolism-first" hypotheses; and (iii) develop high-throughput analytical systems to sample the myriad possible combinations of environmental conditions to find those that could initiate life. This issue of Elements highlight the roles of minerals and geochemical environments in the emergence of protocells, the cell-like entities that might have preceded the Last Universal Common Ancestor. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.