Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 166 | Betül Kaçar on Paleogenomics and Ancient Life
Sep 27, 2021
In this engaging discussion, astrobiologist Betül Kaçar, an expert in paleogenomics, delves into the mysteries of ancient life and its relevance to the search for extraterrestrial beings. She highlights the fascinating process of reconstructing ancient genomes and proteins to reveal life's evolution on Earth. Kaçar also explores pivotal moments, like the Great Oxygenation Event, that transformed our planet. Additionally, she raises thought-provoking questions about how our understanding of ancient life could shape future explorations of life beyond Earth.
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Paleogenomics as Time Travel
- Betül Kaçar, like observational astronomers, studies the past.
- However, instead of using telescopes, she uses genomics to infer ancient life.
Fossil Limitations
- DNA cannot be extracted from ancient fossils that are billions of years old.
- Scientists rely on comparing genomes of living organisms to infer ancestral DNA.
Resurrecting Ancient Languages
- Kaçar compares her work to a linguist resurrecting ancient languages.
- Both fields use remnants and cultural context to reconstruct the past.