Our Single-Celled Ancestors

Six-hundred million years ago, a pivotal turning point in the history of life occurred. In the ancient sea, multicellular organisms evolved that are now recognized as the world's first animals. But what was the biology of the single-celled organism that made the transition? And how did it become the common progenitor of all animals? To answer these questions, UC Berkeley biologist Nicole King studies tiny creatures called choanoflagellates that may be the closest living relative to our single-celled ancestors.

Extreme Biomaterials

In the deepest oceans, near incredibly hot volcanic vents, a strange, hearty organism survives and thrives. Many scientists study these microorganisms, called extremophiles, for the clues they may hold about the origins of life. UC Berkeley chemical engineer Douglas S. Clark is interested in them for a different reason. The extremophiles contain enzymes that spur biochemical reactions even in the harshest conditions. And much of Clark's research is concerned with novel enzymatic reactions, particularly how they may improve industrial processes and aid in pharmaceutical production.

Machines That Learn

Computers aren't big thinkers, but they can analyze massive amounts of information much faster than our own brains. That's the idea behind machine learning, a method that enables computer software to recognizes hidden patterns in as slew of data and learn from what if finds. UC Berkeley statistics professor Michael I. Jordan is applying machine learning to myriad applications, from genomics to information retrieval to the development of Internet software that repairs itself.

Choanoflagellates may be the closest living thing to the single-celled ancestors that became the progenitor of all animals.