International Biogeoscience Conference 2013, Nagoya, Japan

SECOND CIRCULAR: INTERNATIONAL BIOGEOSCIENCE CONFERENCE 2013, NAGOYA, JAPAN

^{published by David Flannery on Tuesday, 09/07/2013}

November 1-4, 2013, Nagoya University

Revealing the biotic diversity of the early earth and the evolution of cyanobacteria and eukaryotes


http://www.info.human.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~sugi/Site/Biogeoscience_Conference_2013.html

Main Session Themes

1) Fossil and sedimentary evidence for early eukaryotes and photosynthetic bacteria

2) Geochemical evidence for biotic diversity and metabolisms of early life

3) Insights from modern life to the early evolution of life

4) New techniques and methodologies in Precambrian research

5) Overview of environments and life in the Precambrian

Keynote Speakers

Prof. Roger E. SUMMONS (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA)

Prof. J. William SCHOPF (University of California, Los Angeles, USA)

Prof. Akihiko YAMAGISHI (Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Japan)

Prof. Isao INOUE (University of Tsukuba, Japan)

Conference Program

November 1st: One day field trip to well-known outcrops of Triassic bedded cherts in the Mino Belt and a museum exhibiting Precambrian rocks, and an ice breaker at venue down town (all free).

November 2nd: Oral and poster sessions and a conference dinner at Nagoya University.

November 3rd: Oral and poster sessions at Nagoya University, with a viewing of Archean microfossils (after sessions).

November 4th: Oral and poster sessions at Nagoya University, and post conference optional tour (paid) to art museum and castle, and dinner (Japanese cuisine) at a venue down town.

This conference aims to bring together geologists, paleontologists, geochemists, biologists, and molecular and evolutionary biologists to discuss significant contemporary issues relating to our understanding of the early evolution of life and its interaction with Earth’s surface environments.

In the past 10 years, evidence has been accumulating for the early evolution of complex ecosystems and biotic diversity during the Archean. Biosignatures including cellular fossils, carbon isotopic values of kerogen, molecular biomarkers such as lipids and hopanes, and microbialites such as stromatolites and microbially-induced sedimentary structures in siliciclastic settings, have been reported from number of sedimentary successions deposited in environments ranging from deep-sea hydrothermal vent systems to coastal sandy intertidal flats, and even from volcanic rocks. It is believed that by 3.0 Ga microorganisms were flourishing in multiple environments. However, these early ecosystems and the biological affinities of reported fossils are poorly understood. Although the signatures of photosynthetic microorganisms can be traced back to 3.4 Ga, the timing of the origin of oxygenic photosynthesis is still unclear. Also problematic, are the recently reported spheroidal and lenticular cellular microfossils larger than 20µm (up to 200 µm) in diameter. They are reported from 3.0, 3.2 and 3.4 Ga sedimentary successions including chemically precipitated cherts and siliciclastic sediments in South Africa and Western Australia. Their large size，organic-wall style of preservation and morphologies suggest they may represent early eukaryotes. This is consistent with the results of biomarker and molecular clock studies that suggest the evolution of cyanobacteria and eukaryotes prior to 2.7 Ga, although it is generally accepted that oxygenation of the atmosphere occurred much later, and widely accepted fossil evidence for eukaryotes dates only from 1.8 Ga.  This conference is thus intended to present us with a timely opportunity to discuss these and related issues.

Call for POSTER presentations

Although slots for oral presentation are almost filled and the registrations are currently closed, we still have several slots available for poster presentations. Posters will be displayed for the duration of the meeting. If you are interested in presenting a poster in this conference, please contact Kenichiro (Ken) Sugitani (sugi@info.human.nagoya-u.ac.jp) as soon as possible. Registrations for presentation will be closed when all poster slots are filled. Any questions in regards to this conference can also be directed to Ken Sugitani.

Early registration is now open

(on or before August 31st)

https://amarys-jtb.jp/biogeoscience/

Professionals: JPY15,000

Students: JPY4,000

Accompanies: JPY3,000

Organizing Committee

Kenichiro SUGITANI

Koichi MIMURA

Malcolm R. WALTER

Martin J. VAN KRANENDONK

David FLANNERY

Takuya SAITO

Makoto TAKEUCHI

 Mamoru ADACHI

Co-hosted by

Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University

Australian Centre for Astrobiology, University of New South Wales

 
School of Informatics and Sciences, Nagoya University

Nagoya University Museum

Japan Astrobiology Network Association