By deciphering information encoded in degraded ancient DNA extracted from up to million‐
years‐old samples, molecular paleomicrobiology enables to objectively retrace the temporal …

Microorganisms are present in snow/ice of the Antarctic Plateau, but their biogeography and
metabolic state under extreme local conditions are poorly understood. Here, we show the …

Subaerial hydrothermal systems are of great interest for paleobiology and astrobiology as
plausible candidate environments to support the origin of life on Earth that offer a unique …

Hydrothermal systems and their deposits are primary targets in the search for fossil evidence
of life beyond Earth. However, to learn how to decode fossil biomarker records in ancient …

Abstract Background The Andean Altiplano hosts a repertoire of high-altitude lakes with
harsh conditions for life. These lakes are undergoing a process of desiccation caused by the …

The key building blocks for life on Mars could be preserved within potentially habitable
paleo-depositional settings with their detection possible by utilizing mid-infrared …

In the search for life in our Solar System, Mars remains a promising target based on its
proximity and similarity to Earth. When Mars transitioned from a warmer, wetter climate to its …

The Ediacaran glaciation has garnered considerable attention for its potential biological
impact because it witnesses the birth of complex animals. Many researchers question …

Earth's biota leave traces in the form of molecular fossils, typically from the membrane lipids
of organisms, preserved in the sedimentary rock record. However, since the environmental …

Persistent cold temperatures, a paucity of nutrients, freeze-thaw cycles, and the strongly
seasonal light regime make Antarctica one of Earth's least hospitable surface environments …