GFAJ-1. Discovery[edit] Wolfe-Simon processing mud at Mono Lake, 2010 The GFAJ-1 bacterium was discovered by geomicrobiologist Felisa Wolfe-Simon, a NASA astrobiology fellow in residence at the US Geological Survey in Menlo Park, California.[9] GFAJ stands for "Give Felisa a Job".[10] The organism was isolated and cultured beginning in 2009 from samples she and her colleagues collected from sediments at the bottom of Mono Lake, California, U.S.A.[11] Mono Lake is hypersaline (about 90 grams/liter) and highly alkaline (pH 9.8).[12] It also has one of the highest natural concentrations of arsenic in the world (200 μM).[1] The discovery was widely publicized on 2 December 2010.[2] Taxonomy and phylogeny[edit] Molecular analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences shows GFAJ-1 to be closely related to other moderate halophile ("salt-loving") bacteria of the family Halomonadaceae.
The sequence of the genome of the bacterium GFAJ-1 is now posted in GenBank.[15] Species or strain[edit] Biochemistry[edit] NASA Finds New Life (Updated) Dr. Felisa Wolfe-Simon. Uld the Mono Lake arsenic prove there is a shadow biosphere? - Times Online. Mono Lake. Mono Lake (/ˈmoʊnoʊ/ MOH-noh) is a large, shallow saline soda lake in Mono County, California, formed at least 760,000 years ago as a terminal lake in a endorheic basin. The lack of an outlet causes high levels of salts to accumulate in the lake. These salts also make the lake water alkaline. This desert lake has an unusually productive ecosystem based on brine shrimp that thrive in its waters, and provides critical nesting habitat for two million annual migratory birds that feed on the shrimp.[2][3] The human history of Mono Lake is associated with its productive ecosystem.
The native Kutzadika'a people derived nutrition from the larvae of the alkali flies that live in the lake. When the city of Los Angeles diverted water from the lake, it lowered the lake level, which imperiled the migratory birds. Geology[edit] USGS map of the Mono Lake area, showing geological features Mono Lake is believed to have formed at least 760,000 years ago, dating back to the Long Valley eruption. Birds[edit] Alien life form ‘is here on Earth’ NASA Sets News Conference on Astrobiology Discovery; Science Journal Has Embargoed Details Until 2 p.m. EST On Dec. 2. MEDIA ADVISORY : M10-167 NASA Sets News Conference on Astrobiology Discovery; Science Journal Has Embargoed Details Until 2 p.m. EST On Dec. 2 WASHINGTON -- NASA will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. EST on Thursday, Dec. 2, to discuss an astrobiology finding that will impact the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life.
Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution and future of life in the universe. The news conference will be held at the NASA Headquarters auditorium at 300 E St. SW, in Washington. Participants are: - Mary Voytek, director, Astrobiology Program, NASA Headquarters, Washington - Felisa Wolfe-Simon, NASA astrobiology research fellow, U.S. Media representatives may attend the conference or ask questions by phone or from participating NASA locations. For NASA TV streaming video and downlink information, visit: For more information about NASA astrobiology activities, visit: - end -