Index > Reviews > It’s life, but just as we know it
Article ID: 8 | Audience: Default | Version 1.00.06 | 2008/11/8 11:53:49 | Reads: 2954


…to decide who is first in the ‘race to create life’ requires a consensus definition of life
Both the genetic code and all computerprogramming languages are means of communicating large quantities of codified information, which adds another element to a comprehensive definition of life.
In July this year, the Phoenix Lander robot—launched by NA SA in 2007 as part of the Phoenix mission to Mars—provided the first irrefutable proof that water exists on the Red Planet. “We’ve seen evidence for this water ice before in observations by the Mars Odyssey orbiter and in disappearing chunks observed by Phoenix, but this is the first time Martian water has been touched and tasted,” commented lead scientist William Boynton from the University of Arizona, USA (NA SA, 2008). The robot’s discovery of water in a scooped-up soil sample increases the probability that there is, or was, life on Mars. Meanwhile, the Darwin project, under development by the European Space Agency (ESA) > envisages a flotilla of four or five free-flying spacecraft to search for the chemical signatures of life in 25 to 50 planetary systems. Yet, in the vastness of space, to paraphrase the British astrophysicist Arthur Eddington (1822–1944), life might be not only stranger than we imagine, but also stranger than we can imagine. The limits of our current definitions of life raise the possibility that we would not be able to recognize an extra-terrestrial organism...
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Phages represent the most diverse inhabitants on this planet. Until today they are completely underestimated in their number, skills and competences and still remain the dark matter of biology


Genetic Novelty / Genomic Variations by RNA Networks and Viruses



Genome Invading RNA Networks (Frontiers in Microbiology/Virology) Download >

Memory and Learning in Plants
How plants mediate signaling processes between themselves and the environment in memory and learning processes

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Biocommunication of Archea
This book will orientate further investigations on how archaeal ecosphere inhabitants communicate with each other
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Biocommunication of Ciliates
…serves as a learning tool for research aspects in biocommunication in ciliates. It will guide scientists in further investigations on ciliate behavior, how they mediate signaling processes between themselves and the environment.

Biocommunication of Animals
„… chimpanzees, elephants, cetaceans, wolves, rats, song birds, reptiles, insects, octopus, corals, nematodes and many other species: all coordinate their interactions with signs.“
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DNA Habitats and Their RNA Inhabitants
The Proceedings of this outstanding symposium. Documents a fundamental new understanding of genetic novelty, code-generating, genome-formatting factors, multi-use nature for RNAgents and behavioral motifs of RNA-consortia

Biocommunication of Fungi
"This book will orientate further investigations on how fungal ecosphere inhabitants communicate with each other to coordinate their behavioral patterns and whats the role of viruses in this highly dynamic interactional networks. Additionally this book will serve as an appropriate tool to transport an integrated depiction of this fascinating kingdom."
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Viruses - Essential Agents of Life
Viruses: Essential Agents of Life is a great way to kick off the next 100 years of virology (American Society for Microbiology 2013)
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"Plants assess their surroundings, estimate how much energy they need for particular goals, and then realise the optimum variant. They take measures to control certain environmental resources. They perceive themselves and can distinguish between ‘self ’ and ‘non-self ’." Buy it >

This is the first uniform description of all key levels of communication in the organismic kingdoms of plants, fungi, animals and bacteria based on the most recent empirical data....
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The recent literature on whole genome sequences provides abundant evidence for the action of natural genetic engineering in evolution.
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A milestone edition that for the first time comprehensively presents the exciting topic of soil biocommunication. A valuable source of information for scientists in microbiology, biochemistry, genetics and soil ecology.
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Guenther Witzany, an Austrian philosopher, has developed a “theory of communicative nature” that, he claims, differentiates biotic and abiotic life. “Life is distinguished from non-living matter by language and communication,”
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