Investigating Early Earth, Extreme Environments, and Origin of Life

noun.

Derived from the French word retro” meaning “of the past”, “bio” meaning “of living things”, “logist” meaning person involved in a study.

Person studying early life, and thus, it’s origin.

see also: Astrobiologist

retrobiologist

Research Themes

Early Earth

Around 4.5 billion years ago, the early Earth was characterized by high volcanic activity, a thin atmosphere dominated by nitrogen and carbon dioxide, and a primordial ocean. Over millennia, harsh conditions gradually gave way to the birth of life and shaped the planet's geological and atmospheric evolution.

Extreme Environments

Extreme environments, from dry and cold deserts to deep-sea hydrothermal vents, challenge the limits of life on Earth. Micro-organisms, known as extremophiles, thrive in environments with high temperatures, acidity, salinity, and pressure. Studying such ecosystems provide valuable insights into the potential habitability of other celestial bodies and expands our understanding of the diversity of life in the universe.

Origin of Life

The origin of life is an enigma, eluding a definitive explanation. Theories such as abiogenesis propose life emerging from non-living matter, while panspermia suggests extraterrestrial origins. This mystery fuels scientific exploration, as researchers seek clues in the cosmos and delve into the intricate biochemical processes that define life's inception on Earth.

“It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.”

Carl Sagan