[[Image:Pep&Me.PNG|frame|left|Heather Jordan with her dog Peppi]]
[[Image:Pep&Me.PNG|frame|left|Heather Jordan with her dog Peppi]]
Heather is the founder and president of the Atlantis Astrobiology Research Institute; an organization dedicated to public science education and abiogensis research. Heather is also the inventor of a new concept protocell, ''Chrysopoeia ingenuus'' (The Chrys).
My name is Heather Jordan, and I'm currently a student at Harvard. I just recently joined [[OpenWetWare]] as I was searching for information about start-ups. I am currently working on a new protocell concept which not only exploits biomimetic self-assembly but should exhibit rudimentary behavioral characteristics as well. My deep fascination with abiogenesis and everything associated with the Hadean period compelled me to all but abandon the notion of an RNA World, in favor of one firmly rooted in geopeptides. While I do not discount the role of RNA early in the history of life, I feel I must dispute the most widely-accepted entry points; as hereditary carriers and catalysts. More likely, RNA entered into modern biochemistry through an entirely different route; as single nucleotide metabolic cofactors. The growing popularity of exploiting eutectic ice phases to polymerize RNA, warrants consideration since, factors which most likely prevailed in the Hadean would have precluded the formation of ice. If we are to accept the importance of ice as a prerequisite for the foundation of an RNA World, then panspermia must also be accepted as a logical (if undesirable) consequence. Depending on such a fragile and expendable molecule, may be hampering our own progress. If the absence of (ribo)nucleotides from meteorites is not sufficient to bolster this contention, then perhaps the similarity of inorganic catalytic cores to common mineral motifs (true molecular fossils in phylogenetically ancient enzymes) is.
You can [[Special:Emailuser/Heather Jordan|email me through OpenWetWare]].
What initially started as a sarcastic challenge issued by a major proponent of the RNA World, has grown into so much more. Affectionately nicknamed, "The Chrys", this biomimetic, scaffolded assemblage incorporates raw materials that would have been common in a Hadean marine setting and constitute a far more durable entity than would be possible as a liposome-encapsulated, ribozyme-based protocell. Furthermore, subtle morphological changes may be triggered through sensitivity of innate chemical processes to environmental triggers. Periodic modulation through tidal flux is thought to serve as the primary driving force in the establishment of cycles. Subtle oscillating perturbations introduced through convection may lead to metabolic diversification as varying morphology limits the exposure of free catalytic surface. Like filtration, substrate adsorption, followed by conversion and encapsulation, in concert with the tides, would effectively remove and concentrate drifting substrate from passing ocean currents. Unlike more recently proposed scenarios where organic compounds exposed to threats on the surface tend to degrade at the rate of synthesis, increasing submersion depth serves as an effective buffer against degradation.
== Chrysopoeia ingenuus: "The Chrys" ==
Detailed schematics for our proposed protocell will soon be published on our [http://chrysopoeiaingenuus.nexo.com/ Chrysopoeia ingenuus project site].
== The Atlantis Astrobiology Research Institute (AARI) ==
I am seeking out new venues through which to continue refining this concept and guidance from more senior members of the research community who have successfully taken their own models from the drawing board to publication and patent acquisition. Although I would sincerely appreciate guidance from a dedicated mentor, I would be extremely grateful for any advice members could offer.. You can [[Special:Emailuser/Heather Jordan|email me through OpenWetWare]].
Research at AARI is largely theoretical. We are primarily interested in geocatalytic mechanisms and biomimetic processes that would have been viable just before or during the Late Heavy Bombardment, when life most likely originated on Earth.
== Chrysopoeia ingenuus: "The Chrys" ==
== For more information, ==
Anatomy:
=== Visit our websites: ===
Metabolism:
Reproduction:
Ecology:
Darwinian Evolution:
Rudimentary Behavior:
== AARI ==
* [http://aari.nexo.com/ Main AARI Website]
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/ The Chrys] (Educational Resources for the General Public)
* [http://aarifuturelab.nexo.com/ Future Lab @ AARI] (For Young Adults; under construction)
* [http://learn-with-laika.nexo.com/ Learn with Laika] (For Kids; under construction)
#
=== Watch our latest video: ===
== Personal/Lab Info ==
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVs0_Fh5PA8 AARI: The Chrys]
Put links to your lab pages, your projects and your interests. If you run out of ideas, take a look at some of the other User pages. For example, check out [[User:Julius_B._Lucks]], [[User:Jason_R._Kelly]] and [[User:Reshma_P._Shetty]].
Heather is the founder and president of the Atlantis Astrobiology Research Institute; an organization dedicated to public science education and abiogensis research. Heather is also the inventor of a new concept protocell, Chrysopoeia ingenuus (The Chrys).
The Atlantis Astrobiology Research Institute (AARI)
Research at AARI is largely theoretical. We are primarily interested in geocatalytic mechanisms and biomimetic processes that would have been viable just before or during the Late Heavy Bombardment, when life most likely originated on Earth.
