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U of M researcher helps unearth oldest microfossils

By: Staff Writer

9/02/2010 12:07 PM | Comments: 7

WINNIPEG — A University of Manitoba researcher is part of an international team of geologists who have announced the discovery of what they believe to be evidence of the oldest complex life on Earth.

Andrey Bekker and his colleagues found the 3.2 billion-year-old fossilized microorganisms buried 600 metres underground in South America.

The team's finding are published this week in the journal Nature.

Previously, evidence of advanced life was found in rock less than two billion years old.

The team believes that the finding proves that life on Earth began to form within less than 1-1/2 billion years after the planet was formed.

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7 Commentscomment icon

I'm delighted to hear about this research, and look forward to reading more about it. Congratulations to Dr. Bekker and those of his team, both here and wherever else they live.

As for those who want to run down the U of M, I know that as a parent I want my children to be taught by people who know enough about their field to contribute to it at the very top. So too, I'd like my children to be able to choose where they'll live; they might well choose Manitoba, as it isn't a bad place. I wouldn't want them to be sad sack people who blame the city, province, or university for their lack of meaningful accomplishment. I think we owe it to the people of the province to try to foster as many of our people to be the best they can--as entrepreneurs, musicians, researchers, writers, or athletes, not to mention decent people. And I happily pay taxes for those things, because in those ways, taxes buy civilization.

Stay tuned....Next they will unearth the last gradute of the University to have found a job in their field....That will be truly worthy of note....

I hate to pay taxes as much as the next guy,Thauticus, but this discovery is priceless. You should be made to memorize the Geologic Time Scale and every significant geological, biological and environmental event that occurred during the past 5 billion years. You might then appreciate the multitude of random events over that time span which resulted in you and I even coming into existence on this planet.

@ Thautikus

There will be positive economic repercussions from this research. Dr. Bekker is publishing in Nature, which is career altering to say the least. Dr. Bekker will be able to apply for funding with this publication on his resume and as a result, will likely have a better chance at landing massive grants or research chair positions to fund research in Manitoba. These grants can also go towards funding the salaries of research associates or technicians, thus creating more jobs in Manitoba. Additionally, many people are unaware that universities take a percentage of each grant a researcher is awarded, also having the potential to positively benefit the U of M. Finally, the prestige factor here is very important. The government may be more willing to provide necessary infrastructure or award research chairs to the U of M if they are world leaders in the certain area. This is huge! It would also be interesting to determine how many Manitobans versus students from other provinces/countries pursue graduate studies in Manitoba - I have a feeling we train a lot of our home grown talent, so being leaders in this area will benefit the province as well.

Way to go Dr. Bekker!

Not to be a negative Ned but what about doing research and exploration in South America benefits jobs in Manitoba. The bulk of taxpayers money was spent out of country. While there may be some benefit by selling that research to private interests there is no actual revenue stream as Universities share this information at no charge to any other Universities or Colleges around the world. There could be an argument made that it raises the prestige of the U of MB and may draw students to study here but as a whole it may mean only a few people may choose to come to Manitoba as opposed to dozens of other Universities around the world. As for Dr. Bekker's team, it was hardly his or the U of MB's team at all, he was only one person and the rest were from from, as it states, international or around the world. So don't be cheering to loudly until you can prove that this discovery means hard cash for tax weary Manitobans.

I like this...
Will watch for more reporting...

Manitoba is the home to some of the best scientists in the world! I would love to see the government fund more research - it keeps some brilliant people in Winnipeg, creates knowledge, and creates jobs. Kudos to Dr. Bekker and his team!

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