The definition of the node of the last universal common ancestor (LUCA) is justified in a
topology of the unrooted universal tree. This definition allows previous analyses based on …

The existence of a correlation between the optimal growth temperature of various organisms
and a thermophily index (based on the propensity of amino acids to enter more frequently …

By exploiting the correlation between the optimal growth temperature of organisms and a
thermophily index based on the propensity of amino acids to enter thermophile …

A high-temperature origin of life has been proposed, largely for the reason that the
hyperthermophiles are claimed to be the last common ancestor of modern organisms. Even …

Brochier and Philippe (Nature, 417, 244) have recently re-analysed the phylogeny of
ribosomal RNA using only multiple alignment positions with no phylogenetic noise. They …

The possibility of a high-temperature origin of life has gained support based on indirect
evidence of a hot, early Earth and on the basal position of hyperthermophilic organisms in …

Figure 20.1 shows the phylogenetic tree constructed from the small subunit rRNA genes of
living organisms reported by Woese eta/.(1990), in which the root was placed on the basis of …

The debate over the early evolution of life remains complex and diverse. Inferences about
the early evolution of life can be obtained essentially from the physical (atmospheric …

The nature of the last universal ancestor to all extent cellular organisms and the rooting of
the universal tree of life are fundamental questions which can now be adressed by …

The global amino acid compositions as deduced from the complete genomic sequences of
six thermophilic archaea, two thermophilic bacteria, 17 mesophilic bacteria and two …