PCE3

RNA-peptide interactions tune the ribozyme activity within coacervate microdroplet dispersions - Nature Communications Membrane-free complex coacervate microdroplets are compelling models for primitive compartmentalization, but it is unclear how molecular co-operativity influences physicochemical properties and activity of membrane-free compartments. Here, the authors use RNA/peptide coacervates as a model to reveal the relationship between coacervate properties and ribozyme activity.

New study from Ghosh, B., McCall, P.M., Le Vay, K.K. et al., (2025): "RNA-peptide interactions tune the ribozyme activity within coacervate microdroplet dispersions"

doi.org/10.1038/s414...

A color image of Earth taken by NASA’s Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC), a four megapixel CCD camera and telescope.

🪐 On this Day of Action to Save #NASA Science, we’re highlighting how space and Earth sciences go hand-in-hand. Scripps Oceanography researchers partner with NASA to study how our planet is changing from sea to space. Here’s an out-of-this-world roundup of some recent projects. 🧵⬇️

Applications for the Gordon Research Conference in Geobiology, to be held on Jan 11-16, 2026, in Ventura, California, are now open! This year's theme is "Geobiology and Planetary Change: Understanding Earth and Life’s Progression". More info below:

www.grc.org/geobiology-c...

LPI's Science Engagement Team is hosting a webinar titled "Careers in Planetary Science and Astrobiology", featuring Dr. Justin Filiberto, Dr. Rhiannon Mayne, and Dr. Edgard Rivera-Valentín.

Date/Time: Oct 3, 2025 02:00 PM CT

Registration: www.zoomgov.com/webinar/regi...

Cassini Proves The Existence Of Complex Chemistry Within Enceladus' Ocean - Astrobiology Scientists digging through data collected by the Cassini spacecraft have found new complex organic molecules spewing from Saturn’s moon Enceladus.

Cassini Proves The Existence Of Complex Chemistry Within Enceladus' Ocean
astrobiology.com/2025/10/cass... #astrobiology #biosignature

The Tracing Rocky Exoplanet Compositions (TREC) hybrid workshop called Under the Atmospheric Hood: How Geochemical Cycles Affect Exoplanet Biosignatures will take place on Jan. 12-14 in Tempe, AZ.

Apply now! www.trec-nexss.org/pages/worksh...

Just a reminder that applications for NASA DARES Task Force 2 are due on Monday, Sept. 29th!

Attention early-career astrobiologists: come check out the first of two panels titled "Navigating Uncertainty in Astrobiology" where scientists in the field will discuss their perspectives and how they got started.

Tomorrow (Sep. 24th) at 2:00 PM EST

Michael Godier interviews Steve Benner on Event Horizon, discussing life on Mars, the Viking mission, and more, including the recent discoveries of "leopard spots" and "poppy seeds" on Mars rocks.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNwy...

PSA: The proposal submission deadline for AbSciCon 2026 has been extended to OCTOBER 8, 2025!

The NASA Astrobiology Program is seeking individuals to serve on NASA DARES (NASA Decadal Astrobiology Research and Exploration Strategy) Task Force 2. Check out details and apply at this link:
go.nasa.gov/ABStrategyRFI

A Major Advance in the Search for Life on Mars NASA published tantalizing evidence that the red planet once harbored life. But Trump’s proposed budget could leave the mystery unsolved.

PSI in the News: A Major Advance in the Search for Life on Mars

“'If this is the most compelling potential biosignature on Mars, and it seems to be, logic dictates that NASA should go back with more missions, or bring that sample home for analysis,' [PSI's Kirby] Runyon said.

Unfortunately...

Don't forget to tune in for the next episode of LIFE RCN Seminar Series! Tomorrow, September 11, 11am EDT

Workshop on Bennu and Ryugu: Samples from the Early Solar System The Workshop on Bennu and Ryugu: Samples from the Early Solar System is scheduled for October 7–9, 2025, at the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) in Houston, Texas.

Want to hear about recent findings related returned samples from OSIRIS-REx and Hyabusa2? Consider joining the Workshop on Bennu and Ryugu Oct 7–9, 2025, at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas (also virtual). www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/ben...

Rethinking “Prebiotic Chemistry” The term “prebiotic chemistry” suggests that the phenomenon of life can be understood via chemistry alone. However, physical, information theoretic, and computational lenses offer important explan...

Should we rethink the term, "prebiotic chemistry"? Depending on who you ask it can have different meanings. A recent paper recommends using "protobiotic processes" instead. An alternative could be "abiotic chemistry." What do you think? agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

If you are an early career researcher consider applying for NASA's Astrobiology Early Career Award! Due Oct 15. astrobiology.nasa.gov/education/ecc/

NASA Astrobiology Community Update | August 2025 The Astrobiology Program is hosting a virtual NASA Astrobiology Update on Wednesday, August 20th, from 2–5PM ET. This Update will focus on providing information on the current state of the Astrobiolo...

Update: The Astrobiology Program will be hosting a NASA Astrobiology Community Update on Aug. 20th from 2 to 5PM ET. You can tune in here: www.youtube.com/live/i4xyu-p...

You can also ask questions ahead of time and during the virtual update here: nasa.cnf.io/sessions/h89...

Exoplanet Program: Registration NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program, the search for planets and life beyond our solar system.

NASA's Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) will be hosting their 32nd meeting on Aug. 19th, from 10AM to 5:30PM EDT. Registration is required but attendance is free. More information in the link below:

exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/...

There will be a virtual NASA Astrobiology update on Aug. 20th at 2PM ET to discuss the current state of the Astrobiology Program and ROSES-25 opportunities. More information about joining the meeting and participating in the Q&A to come.

Don't miss the next Ask an Astrobiologist: Artificial Intelligence, Exoplanets, & the Future of Astrobiology with Dr. Megan Ansdell. Happening August 14th at 12PM PDT!

astrobiology.nasa.gov/ask-an-astro...

Reproducible Ala-Gly oligomerization catalyzed by the natural Borate colemanite in prebiotic conditions - Scientific Reports Scientific Reports - Reproducible Ala-Gly oligomerization catalyzed by the natural Borate colemanite in prebiotic conditions

Check out this recent scientific report from Nature: Reproducible Ala-Gly oligomerization catalyzed by the natural Borate colemanite in prebiotic conditions

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

How does the PCE3 community feel about this decision?
Science retracts arsenic life paper 15 years after publication
click.rsc.org/rsps/m/pCvis...
(this coverage from Chemistry World, find more online)

Next Tuesday, August 12th: the monthly artificial intelligence and machine learning virtual seminar hosted by the Exobiology Branch at the NASA Ames Research Center will feature Dr. Walt Alvarado, from the Space Biosciences Research Branch.
tinyurl.com/2m4wpbt2

See the request below from the AI-Astrobiology Initiative. You can fill out the questionnaire at this link: forms.gle/Fmv6Jm6zEKBg...

For this edition of PCE3 #AskAnAuthor, we asked Dr. Nanishankar V. Harohally about ribose and chemical gardens. Check out the author responses below!
pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1...

t.co/iPByz3VwmD

The next LIFE Seminar is tomorrow, August 5th, 11am EDT. Don't miss it!
www.lifercn.org/events/life-...

The next PCE3 Newsletter is going out soon!
Do you have something you'd like to share with the PCE3 community ? Let us know using this form!
forms.gle/hfeEsHU5us3i...

PCE3 is is looking to assemble its Early Career Committee, apply by August 15th!
www.prebioticchem.org/_files/ugd/f...

Don't forget to join the NASA ROSES 2025 informational webinar. TODAY, 12.30pm EST
nasaevents.webex.com/nasaevents/j...