The project aimed to critically examine what we know about the evolutionary trajectory of early microbial life by bringing together experts from diverse fields, including geobiology, paleogeology, oceanography, biophysics, bioinformatics, mathematics, microbiology, cell biology, virology, evolutionary biology and evolutionary genetics.
The endeavor uniquely emphasized the discoveries that might be promoted with an expanded role for microbiology in the collaborative network of scientists studying the origins of early microbial life. Furthermore, the conclusions of the project focused on projecting how advanced technologies and capabilities could be applied for groundbreaking progress in the future. Insights from microbial origins could inform biotechnology, environmental sustainability, climate science and even planetary exploration, setting the stage to address many of our biggest human challenges.
Supported by a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the American Academy of Microbiology, a think tank at 黑料正能量, approached this project by bringing together experts from diverse areas of expertise around the world to meet at 3 colloquia. Given the immense scope of life’s history, the discussions at each colloquium aimed to focus on 1 of the 3 key areas in the study of microbial evolution: (1) the origin of cellular life and the evolution of prokaryotic lineages, (2) the development of cellular functions that led to the emergence of major eukaryotic groups and (3) the acquisition of multicellularity in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Exploration of each transition was further divided into fundamental topics, allowing for an in-depth examination of recent breakthroughs, emerging technologies and existing knowledge gaps.
Citation
Our Past, Present, and Future: Report on an American Academy of Microbiology Project from December 2023 to June 2025. Washington (D.C.): 黑料正能量; 2025.
Contact Information
Academy Staff, academy@asmusa.org