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Archaea: From Genomics to Physiology and the Origin of LifeThis document represents a report on a meeting about Archaea. The meeting had an unusually diversified mix of topics all related to Archaea highlighting their differences and similarities with other kingdoms of life. Thus, a large number of scientists from others areas of biology participated in this conference. One-third of the speakers (11 of 33) represented laboratories whose main interests have not been archaea and who have not previously participated in similar symposia or workshops. Thus, this symposium provided a unique opportunity for archaeal researchers to interact in a wider forum. Because of the broad range of topics covered, the conference also introduced many of the participants to new areas of archaeal research. The discussions of genomics, molecular mechanisms of transcription, metabolic pathways and evolution were at a very high level. Talks and posters provided detailed discussions of the state of the current knowledge in RNA processing, transcriptional initiation, chromatin structure, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, autotrophic CO2 fixation, Upid biosynthesis and a wide range of other topics. In addition to providing overviews, major areas of scientific argument were clearly delineated, particularly in the discussions of genomics and evolution. Some of the questions raised included: how representative are individual gene trees of organismal evolution, how prevalent is horizontal evolution, how reliable are functional assignments in genomics? On these topics, the different points of view were well represented. The future of any field depends on the enthusiasm and intellectual engagement of young scientists working in the area. Therefore, the participation of 29 graduate and postdoctoral students (out of about 135 participants) was a highlight of the meeting. This was the consequence of funding contributions by NSF and NASA.
Document ID
20000024847
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Vothknecht, Ute C.
(Yale Univ. New Haven, CT United States)
Tumbula, Debra L.
(Yale Univ. New Haven, CT United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1999
Publication Information
Publication: Trends in Cell Biology
Publisher: Elsevier Science
Volume: 9
ISSN: 0962-8924
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: Bridging the Gap Between Bacteria and Eukarya
Location: Taos, NM
Country: United States
Start Date: January 9, 1999
End Date: January 14, 1999
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-6024
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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