[Press Release] Discovery of a primordial metabolic system that gives us a glimpse of the origin of life on earth

The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is a key metabolic mechanism essential for most organisms. The research group that includes Prof. Yoshito Chikaraishi (Division of Earth System Science) revealed that a thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hydrothermal field in the Southern Okinawa Trough has a novel tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, possibly the most primitive form yet known.

This research outcome is published in Science.

Please visit links below to view the press release.
Research Press Release (English ver.)
Research Press Release (PDF in Japanese)