User:Heather Jordan: Difference between revisions

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== Heather Jordan ==
[== Heather Jordan ==


[[Image:Pep&Me.PNG|frame|left|Heather Jordan with her dog Peppi]]
[[Image:HEJ.jpg|frame|left|Heather E. Jordan]]
[http://aari.nexo.com/founder Heather] is the founder and president of the [http://aari.nexo.com/main Atlantis Astrobiology Research Institute]; an organization dedicated to public science education and abiogensis research. Heather is also a PhD student at the [http://www.wisc.edu/ University of Wisconsin, Madison] in the [http://www.geology.wisc.edu/home.html Department of Geology and Geophysics].


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 Heather through OpenWetWare]] or [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/people contact] her directly.


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. 
== Current Research Projects: under principal investigator, Dr. Nita Sahai ==


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]].
Coming soon...  


== Welcome Heather Jordan! ==
== The Atlantis Astrobiology Research Institute (AARI) ==


We've automatically generated this User page to help you start contributing to OWW.  You can add information to this page about who you are and what you do so others can find out what you are doing, and maybe even collaborate with you!
Research at [http://aari.nexo.com/main 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. Our models do not require the existence of an RNA World or call for pre-RNA World candidates. Our objective is simply to meet the prerequisites for life in a manner which exploits plausible prebiotic materials and processes to the exclusion of other, more modern innovations.   


The first step is to familiarize yourself with a wiki.  See below for some tips to customize this User page.  Don't be afraid to edit!  As with all pages on the wiki, all versions are saved so its easy to undo.
=== Public Science Education @ The Chrys ===


When you feel comfortable, we encourage you to remove this introduction and add content about yourself.
We have assembled a diverse collection of multimedia resources which include [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/videos videos], interactive Flash animations, [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/celestialsounds audio recordings], literature, and links to external applications. We even have a [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/chemicalalley/43 Procrastination Station] on our [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/chemicalalley Chemical Alley] page! All content is accessible to everyone, free of charge.  


== Basic Wiki Instructions ==
Current topics on The Chrys include:
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/abiogenesis Origins of Life]
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/cosmos Basic Astronomy]
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/crystallization Introductory Crystallography]
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/digitalevolution Evolution Simulation with Synthetic Life]
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/ethics Ethics] (relevant to synthesizing life)
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/exobiology Exobiology] (Is anybody out there?)
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/panspermia Panspermia]
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/hydrothermalreactor Hydrothermal Reactor Hypothesis]
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/spaceexploration Space Exploration] (Human & Robotic)
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/xtremelife Extremophiles]
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/thernaworldbasictenetscaveats RNA World] (with liposomes)
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/molecularfossilmuseum Molecular Fossil Museum]
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/snowballearth Snowball Earth]
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/archaeangeology Archaean Geology]


# Start off by clicking the 'edit' button to the right of this section, or at the top of the page.
Those who wish to make a small, tax-deductible [http://aari.nexo.com/patrons/10 donation] to AARI will be [http://aari.nexo.com/patrons acknowledged]. There are other ways to [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/supportaari support AARI], such as purchasing natural stone and seashell jewelry at the [http://jordan-protocell.nexo.com/aarigiftshop AARI Gift Shop]
# Now you should see the text of this section as text within an editor box. There are several buttons in the editor box, but don't worry about those for now. Just type something in the box, scroll down to the bottom, and hit the 'Preview' button.
# You should see the web-page and text box views, but now with your edits!  Don't forget to save your changes by clicking 'Save Page'!
# Editing pages is as easy as that. There are of course many ways to format your text.  The easiest way to learn is to find an OWW page with the formatting you like, click on the edit button again, and see for yourself how it was created in the text box.  Here's an extensive list of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Tutorial_%28Formatting%29 formating examples]. Or look at this OpenWetWare [[OpenWetWare:Welcome|introductory tutorial]].
# When you are done, remove these instructions by clicking the edit button for this section again, erase everything you see in the text box and click 'Save Page'. (And remember you can always retrieve these by clicking on the 'history' tab at the top of this page.)


Note that these instructions apply to ''any'' page on OWW. Feel free to contribute to OWW by editing pages to add content, update them, or even correct mistakes. OWW relies on an active community to manage our growing resource of open access information, and we need your help!
=== For More Information: ===
* '''Visit our websites:'''
** [http://aari.nexo.com/main Atlantis Astrobiology Research Institute] (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)


== Personal/Lab Info ==
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVs0_Fh5PA8 Watch Our Latest Video]
We have gone ahead and filled in some information you provided us in your membership application at the top of this page.  Please take a moment to embellish this and tell the community a little more about you.  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]]. 


You'll also notice that we have put an 'image' placeholder at the top of the page.  We encourage you to upload an image of yourself to give OWW a more personal feel.  To upload an image, click on the [[Special:Upload|Upload file]] link on the left-hand side (toolbar). Choose a file from your computer, and remember the file name.  After you have uploaded the image, you should see it loaded on its own page.  User your browser's back button to come back to this page, click on edit, and replace 'OWWEmblem.png' with the name of your file that you have uploaded in the second line of this page.
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/virtuallaboratory Download Free Software]


Don't forget to remove these instructions from this page when you are done!
* Keep up-to-date on new discoveries in the field:
** [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/astrobiologyfeeds Astrobiology Feeds]
** [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/astrobiologynews Space Science News]
** [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/nasafeeds NASA News Feeds]
** [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/astrobiologylibrary Library]
 
* Sign our [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/guestbook Guestbook]
 
* [http://jordanprotocell.nexo.com/ Become a member] and get email alerts when new material is posted. Free!

Latest revision as of 14:51, 29 May 2009

[== Heather Jordan ==

Heather E. Jordan

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 a PhD student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in the Department of Geology and Geophysics.

You can email Heather through OpenWetWare or contact her directly.

Current Research Projects: under principal investigator, Dr. Nita Sahai

Coming soon...

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. Our models do not require the existence of an RNA World or call for pre-RNA World candidates. Our objective is simply to meet the prerequisites for life in a manner which exploits plausible prebiotic materials and processes to the exclusion of other, more modern innovations.

Public Science Education @ The Chrys

We have assembled a diverse collection of multimedia resources which include videos, interactive Flash animations, audio recordings, literature, and links to external applications. We even have a Procrastination Station on our Chemical Alley page! All content is accessible to everyone, free of charge.

Current topics on The Chrys include:

Those who wish to make a small, tax-deductible donation to AARI will be acknowledged. There are other ways to support AARI, such as purchasing natural stone and seashell jewelry at the AARI Gift Shop

For More Information:

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